A4 priority group next to be vaccinated vs COVID-19

According to the government, after vaccinating health workers, senior citizens, and people with illnesses or comorbidities against COVID-19, those in the A4 priority group will follow.

“Next is economic sectors that are needed to ensure security, consumer and worker safety, and those working in priority government projects, in particular, itong ating COVID response,” explained National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rose Edillon.

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According to NEDA, the sector includes those who find it difficult to distance themselves from other people, especially those who do not work in the office.

The A4 priority group includes commuter transport workers and frontline government workers including police, social workers, and jail personnel.

Also included are vendors in markets and grocery and supermarket workers as well as manufacturers of food, beverages, medicine, and medical supplies.

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There are also frontliners in fast food service and other frontliners in government and financial services such as banks and money remittances.

Priority will also be given to those who teach in medical educational institutions and those in laboratories, working in hotels, priests, and other religious leaders.

Also included are construction workers in the government infrastructure project, security guards in the said establishments, and overseas Filipino workers who will be deployed within 2 months.

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A4 priority group next to be vaccinated vs COVID-19

According to Edillon, those on A4 may be vaccinated next month.

“I think the best-case scenario, we can start in May. But it can also be in June,” said Edillon.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the agencies, companies, and organizations under its jurisdiction must also prepare.

“Ang mga workers ng A4 just needs to be given by their establishments this certificate of eligibility,” said Vergeire.

“Hinihikayat natin lahat ng sinasabi ni Usec Rose na kasama sa category na yan i-masterlist niyo na ang mga empleyado ninyo,” she added.

Aside from the certificate of eligibility, the government also encourages companies to have a proper schedule so that employees do not have to work at the same time and be given enough time to rest while observing possible adverse effects.

He also said that it would be good for the company to provide support to employees when it comes to transportation to vaccination sites.