DOLE backs use of single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for OFWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday backed a suggestion to inoculate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with a single-dose vaccine against COVID-19.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he supported the suggestion of vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. because this will help expedite the deployment of OFWs.

“The destination country will accept them once they receive that single dose. They will no longer be required to get a swab test and undergo quarantine,” Bello said.

Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine requires a single dose while other vaccines follow a two-dose regimen to ensure maximum protection.

Galvez earlier said that the Philippines aims to secure up to 10 million doses from Johnson & Johnson, whose vaccine secured an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in April.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte directed Galvez to prioritize the vaccination of seafarers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) using American-made COVID-19 jabs as some employers only accept workers vaccinated with Western brands.—AOL, GMA News