Unvaccinated kid dies of Covid-19

An unvaccinated patient belonging to the vulnerable 5-11 years old group has succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force reported Thursday.

The task force said the death is the first case ever involving a patient belonging to the pediatric group.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, renewed her call for parents to submit their children for vaccination.

“Not all Covid-related deaths were from the seniors’ population group as the virus could also infect any age group and its severity varies from one person to another,” Schlosser said.

She added that children aged five to 11 are prone to contracting the virus as they are the ones not keen on wearing face masks.

“If they do wear face masks, it will only be for a short time and would often complain of discomfort,” she said.

She also expressed concern about children who are not wearing face masks outside their homes.

“I’m afraid that full face-to-face classes will resume and the children don’t have a layer of protection because not 100 percent of the children will wear face masks,” Schlosser said.

Schlosser noted that the low vaccination turnout has led the Vaccination Cluster to partner with the Department of Education (DepEd) in conducting the school-based immunization.

“Talks are also ongoing to conduct a mobile vaccination in private schools,” she said.