Gatchalian: Gov’t needs to vaccinate kids amid Delta variant threat

Following the detection of more cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the Philippines, Senator Win Gatchalian pressed the government to begin vaccinating minors to prevent them from becoming “variant factories.”

Because of its increased transmissibility, the Delta variant first detected in India is considered a variant of concern, the senator said. The World Health Organization (WHO) called this variant the fastest and fittest. As of July 29, there are 216 total cases of the Delta variant in the Philippines, eight of which have died, he added.

“By the time we get enough supply we can already vaccinate teenagers. And this is a very crucial stage in going back to face-to-face classes,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate basic education committee.

Since schools are surrounded by economic activities such as the use of transportation and the operation of small businesses, Gatchalian said vaccinating learners will provide an added layer of protection.

“The kids might not get infected as fast as science says, but their parents, the shopkeepers, the sari-sari store owners, they might be susceptible to the virus spread,” he said.

“So that’s why the approach to school opening should be very cautious and the step forward to that is to launch pilot schools in zero Covid areas,” Gatchalian emphasized.

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) are crafting the guidelines for the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face classes.

According to DepEd, at least 100 schools will participate in the pilot study of limited face-to-face classes once President Rodrigo Durterte gives his approval.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)