A total of 10,000 chocolate candy bars are up for grabs in Makati City for children aged 5 to 11 years old who would get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Mayor Abby Binay.
"Bukod sa paghahandang ginawa namin para maging maayos, maginhawa at ligtas ang kanilang vaccination, naglaan ang lungsod ng 10,000 chocolate candy bars na ipapamahagi sa kanila pagkatapos nilang mabakunahan," Binay said in an opinion piece in Pilpino Star Ngayon.
(Aside from the preparations underway for an orderly, convenient, and safe vaccinations, the city of Makati has allocated 10,000 chocolate candy bars to give to children after they get vaccinated.)
The move is part of the city's initiative to encourage those who are hesitant to get the jabs amid strong opposition from parents and other groups.
Binay said chocolates are little things that make children happy and alleviate their fears when visiting the doctor.
Vaccination for the said age bracket begins on Monday in SM Makati and Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School (NIYES) in Guadalupe Nuevo.
The city government aims to vaccinate 500 children in NIYES and 400 in SM Makati.
The Makati mayor reminded that prior to getting vaccinated, parents must first register their children and wait for their schedule before heading to the vaccination site.
"Mahigpit pa ring ipatutupad ang 'no walk-in' policy at kailangan munang i-register online ang mga bata para manatiling maayos at ligtas ang proseso sa vaccination sites," said Binay.
(The ‘no walk-in’ policy will be strictly enforced and kids need to be registered online in order to ensure an orderly and safe process in vaccination sites.)
She also told parents to register the correct birthday of their children so they can get sorted properly under the right category.
"Sana po ay patuloy tayong maniwala sa siyensiya at magtiwala sa mabuting layunin ng pamahalaang lungsod. Ang tanging hangad namin ay maging malusog, malakas, at malayo sa sakit ang mga bata, lalung-lalo na ang mga Batang Makatizen," said Binay.
(We hope that you would continue believing in science and trust in the city government’s objective. All we want is for children to be health, strong, and away from disease.)
Vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 is set to begin on Monday, according to the Department of Health, adding that is only voluntary.
DOH, however, stressed that the vaccines would give children protection against the severe symptoms of COVID-19, especially ahead of the start of face-to-face classes.
