The national government is set to expand its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination to essential workers or those under the A4 priority group on Monday, June 7.
"Bukas uumpisahan na natin ang (Tomorrow we will start the) simultaneous jabbing for A1, 2, 3, and 4," said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Sunday, June 6.
Duque said that the move will help in boosting the country's economic recovery.
"Malaking bagay kasi sila yung tinatawag natin na economic frontliners. Napakamahalaga na sila ay maumpisahan na nating mabakunahan (It's a huge thing because they are what we call economic frontliners. It's very important that we start vaccinating them)," he said.
The government has begun vaccinating healthcare frontliners (A1), senior citizens (A2), and individuals with comorbidities (A3), three months since the country’s COVID-19 vaccination started.
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 117, those who are eligible under the A4 category include: private sector workers required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside of their residence, employees in government agencies and instrumentalities, informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences, and those working in private households.
About 35.5 million individuals are targeted to be vaccinated under the A4 priority sector, based on the data of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion on Saturday, June 5, believes that vaccination is the best intervention “to eventually win the war” against COVID-19, coupled with the compliance to health protocols.
“Ito ang pinaka-solution at wala nang ibang solution para manalo tayo dito sa COVID-19. Iyong ginagawa natin na social distancing at wearing of face mask and face shield nakakatulong iyan (This is the best solution and there is no other solution for us to win against COVID-19. But, social distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, also help),” he said during a public press briefing.
With the start of A4 vaccination, Concepcion expressed hopes that the nation will have a better Christmas celebration this year.
“We really want to open the economy and have a merry Christmas--- itong taon na ito (this year)--- but we have to achieve at least in NCR (National Capital Region) Plus a herd immunity,” he said.
He also encouraged the public to get vaccinated against the viral illness. “So talagang humihingi kami ng tulong sa lahat ng mamamayan dito sa Pilipinas that itong bakuna ang pinaka importanteng armas natin panlaban sa COVID-19 (So we are really asking the help of all citizens in the Philippines---- that the vaccine is our most important weapon against COVID-19),” said Concepcion.