[EDITORIAL] Keeping our children safe

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that the government is going to vaccinate minors aged 5 to 11 years old starting February 4, 2022. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech to be used in the inoculation of the children.

There are increasing reports of children of all ages infected with the COVID virus, particularly its most virulent mutation, the Delta variant.

Children have shown strong immunity to the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, but health authorities warned that Delta is infecting children. Therefore, the vaccination of children ages 5 to 11 years old should start immediately.

There is also an alarming increase of new COVID-19 cases in the country, feared to be triggered by the more infectious Omicron variant, prompting the escalation of protocols in the national capital and nearby provinces this January 2022 and even lockdowns of government offices.

Our children’s education has been disrupted since COVID-19 pandemic erupted in March 2020. Aside from disrupting their schooling, keeping children at home amid the pandemic may have detrimental effects on their wellbeing and mental health.

COVID-19 variants transformed over time. Health authorities said that some variants we call “variants of concern” and these viruses need more study. In terms of transmission, there is an increase of COVID’s new variant transmissibility across all age groups. This is a threat to minors and children.

The best way to keep children safe is about prevention. In this way, we can prevent as many COVID infections as we possibly can.