The Department of Health (DOH) has advised the adult population to keep children safe against the coronavirus by first protecting themselves through vaccination since the country is unable to inoculate them yet.

In an online media forum Wednesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said vaccination of eligible individuals is the most important measure in preventing spread of the disease to families, friends and communities.

“Kapag kayo ay eligible na, magpabakuna po kayo para po ang ating mga kabataan ay maprotektahan din po (Get vaccinated if you’re eligible so we can protect the young as well),” Vergeire said.

“That, we call the cocoon strategy, kung lahat po ng ating (if all our) adult population within the household are vaccinated there is lesser chance for children to be infected,” she added.

Since many are now going out to work, Vergeire reminded the public to be cautious about being infected outdoors and to implement safety protocols when going home – taking a bath and sanitizing items.

“And then always wear mask inside your house. Lahat po ng ating mga kababayan lumalabas pang-araw-araw para magtrabaho o pumunta sa (Those who go out to work or to) public places to buy essentials, please wear your mask inside the house,” she said.

Vergeire also advised to keep the children healthy because “healthy children are able to fight Covid-19 and other diseases”.

The DOH recorded an overall 59 percent increase in cases among all age groups from July 13 to 25 especially the young children.

DOH data showed that Covid-19 cases for ages 0 to 9 years old increased to 2,614 for the period of July 29 to Aug. 4 from 1,686 for the period of July 8 to 14.

While children cannot get vaccinated yet, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved Pfizer-BioNTech for administration on children aged 12 to 17 years old and also children younger than the age bracket.

Earlier, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the inclusion of children aged 12 to 17 years old in the vaccination priority list would mean additional 12 to 14 million individuals to inoculate.

Domingo assured the public that available vaccines would not be administered to children unless it is safe and effective.

The Chinese manufacturer Sinovac has applied for emergency use authorization for the use of CoronaVac on children aged 3 to 17 years old.

The vaccine expert panel is still evaluating the application. (PNA)