Drivers, vendors start feeling safe with COVID-19 vaccine shots for A4 persons

Individuals who have to leave their homes to work for a living are thankful for as the vaccine rollout for their sector started on Monday.

According to a report on "24 Oras", the government has started to vaccinate against COVID-19 those in the A4 category -- workers who are physically required to go on site for their jobs whether they are from the government, private, informal, and even household sector.

Among the individuals who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine was Rodolfo Arellano, Jr., a tricycle driver in Mandaluyong City.

Even with just the first jab, Arellano said he felt more safe to work.

"Nasa kalsada kami, open kami mula morning til night," he said.

COVID-19 vaccines require two shots spaced weeks apart to be fully effective.

Rita Lizada, a market vendor, had the same sentiments as she expected the vaccine would prevent her from getting seriously ill.

"Para maiwasan 'yong mga sakit-sakit," she said.

A hundred tricycle drivers, vendors, and other essential workers were vaccinated in the city earlier in the day.

"Malaki ang impact kasi alam natin na sila naka-frontline sa economy natin. Sila 'yong araw-araw pumapasok," Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos said.

In Parañaque City, Joselito Legaspi, Sr., a driver, said the vaccine lessened his worries to go outside and work.

"Wala na ganong iniisip na medyo mahahawa ka ganoon," he said.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said that at least 10 million doses of Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sputnik V vaccines would arrive within the month.

The Philippines has around eight million doses of COVID-19 supply so far since the vaccination program started last March 1. --Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News