Under A1 vax group: Outbound OFWs, immediate kin of health workers

MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are bound for deployment abroad within four months after their vaccination date as well as the immediate family members of health workers are now under the A1 priority group of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, Malacañang said Friday.

The added inclusions in the A1 group were made during the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“Nilagay ng IATF sa priority group A1 ang mga papaalis o outbound na OFWs na made-deploy sa loob ng apat na buwan mula sa petsa ng kanilang pagbabakuna,” Roque, who also serves as the IATF spokesperson, said in a Laging Handa briefing.

(The IATF placed under priority group A1 outbound OFWs who are set to be deployed within four months after their vaccination date.)

“Samantalang ang immediate family members ng health workers ay kabilang na rin sa priority group A1 oras na magkaroon ng supply ng bakuna,” he added.

(Immediate family members of health workers are also placed under group A1 once there is ample vaccine supply.)

Special lanes or vaccination centers are also made for priority groups A1, A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities).

Roque added that for individuals under the A4 group, local government units may prioritize those aged 40 to 59 years old over those aged 18 to 39.

/MUF