National Task Force (NTF) Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be deployed within four months can get inoculated with vaccines donated by COVAX Facility.
During the symbolic inoculation of seafarers in Palacio de Maynila on Thursday, June 17, Dizon said the inclusion of OFWs in the A1 category, the top priority group for vaccination, makes them eligible for COVAX-donated jabs.
The donated vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO)-led Facility will only be used on priority groups A1 (health workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities).
"We included OFWs who will be deployed within four months in the A1 category. Because of that, not only it gives them priority, but it has also given them the opportunity to get vaccinated with COVAX-donated vaccines, such as Pfizer," Dizon said in a mix of Filipino and English.
"Ang seafarers are not the ones who chose this brand, but their employers or potential employers. Because they have to get the vaccine required by their employers," he added.
To get vaccinated, Dizon said that OFWs may proceed to any vaccination site nationwide and present a contact indicating that they will be deployed within four months.