Governor Dennis Pineda on Wednesday encouraged more parents to have their children vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), noting it is the government’s response to their worries against the virus.

This, as the province kicked off its “Resbakuna Kids” vaccination drive with a birthday party-themed program at the Jose B. Lingad General Memorial Hospital here on Wednesday.

The venue was decorated with balloons to make the children feel at ease, and those who have been vaccinated were given hotdogs and popcorn.

Pineda, who attended the launching program, said children, like adults, must be protected against the dreaded disease.

The governor also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for making the province of Pampanga one of the recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine for children.

“Alam ninyo ang laking bagay kasi yung takot ng isang magulang ay nandito po ang sagot. Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo kay President Duterte dahil binigyan niya ng priority ang bakuna para sa mga bata (You know it is big deal because this is the answer to parents’ fear. Thus, we are thankful to President Duterte because he gave priority on the vaccination of children),” he said in a video-taped interview.

Pineda likewise lauded the parents who brought their children for vaccination, saying that he will do the same to his grandchildren.

“To the parents who are here, I salute you because you are thinking of the welfare of your children, the protection of your children. As a parent like you, as a grandfather, I will also let my grandchildren be vaccinated. I will show to the province that I trust the national government. I am not afraid of this vaccination for my loved ones because we must give protection to all the children,” he said.

Pineda said holding the vaccination drive launch with a birthday party theme was conceptualized to allay the children’s fear of jabs.

“Isang paraan lamang ito para mahikayat ang mga bata na magpabakuna kontra Covid-19 bilang paghahanda sa posibleng pagsisimula ng ‘face-to-face classes’ sa lalawigan (This is one way to attract the children to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in preparation for the possible start of face-to-face classes in the province) he said.

Meanwhile, Pineda said the provincial government is preparing for the launching of a mass vaccination program for children belonging to the said age group.

A total of 317,095 children aged 5 to 11 years old in this province are targeted to be vaccinated against Covid-19. (PNA)