MANILA, Philippines — The government should prioritize the vaccination of persons with comorbidities who are unable to work from home, Vice President Leni Robredo proposed on Sunday.
The government, which started its COVID-19 immunization program last month, has so far been vaccinating healthcare workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.
“My suggestion is that that, if possible, there should be a subgroup in the prioritization — people under 60 with comorbidities who don’t have the capacity to work from home should be prioritized,” Robredo said in Filipino during “BISErbiyong LENI,” her weekly show aired over AM radio DZXL.
She pointed out that some who could just work from home had been trying to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The government should be proactive and look instead for those who could not work from home, particularly those who do not know who to register online for vaccination,” she added.
She was referring to workers such as public transportation drivers, grocery and drugstore personnel, and market vendors.
Workers like these, Robredo said, should be inoculated first as they were more exposed to the coronavirus.
“I hope they get vaccinated first. Those who could just work from home should not try to get ahead, considering that our vaccine supplies are currently low,” she said.
Avoid panic buying of oxygen tanks
The vice president also urged the public to avoid panic buying of oxygen tanks as hospitals in some parts of the so-called NCR Plus bubble had reached full capacity.
NCR Plus is composed of Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.
“Kapag sinabi kasing ubusan na iyong supply, kahit iyong iba wala pa namang sakit, may pambili, ginagawa na iyon. Kaya iyon lang iyong pakiusap natin, na sana huwag ganoon, kasi marami iyong maaapektuhan,” she said.
“When word gets out that the supply is running out, even those who are not sick but who have the money do that. So that’s what we’re requesting. If possible, don’t do it because so many will be affected,” she said.