Malacañang said that economic frontliners of all ages may now get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but this may not be the case if the country faces a shortage of vaccines.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the ceremonial vaccination of members of the A4 priority group in Pasay City on Monday.
In his press briefing, Roque said that every economic frontliner can be accommodated at present but only those aged 40 to 59 may get vaccinated should there be a shortage of supply.
"Pwedeng mas unahin ng mga LGUs ang nasa edad 40 to 59 years old kaysa 18 to 39 years old (Local government units can prioritize those aged 40 to 59 over those aged 18 to 39)," he said.
Based on Resolution No. 117 of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, LGUs are required to prioritize the A1 (medical frontliners and the immediate family, and local chief executives), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) by establishing special lines or vaccination centers for them.
For the A4 group, LGUs may give preference for persons aged 40 to 59 over those aged 18 to 39.
Last month, the IATF approved the recommendation refining the list of people belonging to the A4 Priority Group. Those eligible under this category are:
- Private sector workers required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside their residences
- Employees in government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and LGUs
- Informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences, and those working in private households.
In a pre-recorded message for the ceremonial vaccination of the A4 group, President Duterte said the country has reached a "major milestone" in the fights against COVID-19 with the start of the mass vaccination.
"I am pleased to join you today as we mark a major milestone in our battle against COVID-19. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel as the vaccine shipments have started to arrive in bulk," he said.
As of June 6, the country has administered 5,965,651 doses of COVID-19 vaccines while 1,544,332 individuals have been fully vaccinated.