IATF gives COVID-19 vax 

priority to OFWs for deployment

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 4 (PIA) -- So they can be admitted to countries where they work, outgoing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) for deployment within the next four months can now be part of the priority groups under A1.

This move aims to give outgoing OFWs full protection against severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) upon entering their country of deployment.

This was one of the resolutions that the National Inter Agency Task Force proposed in its meeting on May 27, 2021.

The IATF also adopted the recommendations of the National Task Force against Coronavirus disease (NTF COVID) which allows healthcare workers’ immediate family members to be included in the Priority Group A1, provided that vaccine supply is available.

Through Resolution No. 117 series of 2021, the NTF COVID also recommended the inclusion of private sector workers who are required to be physically present in their designated workplace outside of their residences.

It also recommended for vaccination employees in government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units as well as informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences, in the priority list under A4.

The same can also put in the immediate list the kasambahays working in private households to be eligible for vaccination under Priority Group A4.

Among the Priority Group A4, local government units (LGUs) may give preference for persons aged 40-59 over persons aged 18 to 39 years old, as to the NTF recommendations.

Due to the critical local transmission in Metro Manila and nearby areas, the NTF also suggests prioritization in the vaccine deployment for Priority Group A4 to be initially focused on these geographical areas like the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, as well as all workers from all other areas.

This is to ensure that the economic confidence builds up in the country’s center of business, trade and industry, and resuscitate the slumped economy.

However, according to the resolution, LGUs are still required to exert any and all efforts to continuously prioritize the A1, A2, and A3 Priority Groups.

The NTF recommends the establishment of special lanes or vaccination centers for them to ensure that health frontliners, senior citizens, and other vulnerable sectors of the population continue to be prioritized in the vaccination program.

The IATF stressed the need to continue the implementation of proactive measures and restrictions to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, buy time for the health system to cope, and to protect more lives. (rahc/PIA7/Bohol)

OFWs FOR DEPLOYMENT ABROAD. Returning OFWs set for deployment within the next four months are now given priority in the vaccination campaign as the country tries to strengthen the economy that slumped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

REPATRIATED OFWS arrived in Bohol in July last year. Now, with the global economy starting to reopen, deployments are restarting with OFWs starting to comply with the travel requirements which include full vaccination against COVID-19. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)