Follow COVID-19 vaccine prioritization list, health workers urge public

Healthcare professionals on Monday urged the public, especially the private sector, to follow the government’s prioritization list for the rollout of coronavirus vaccines to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable groups.

The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) made the call amid reports that several local government units and private companies have secured doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Mauuna ‘yung mga may kaya at mahuhuli ‘yung wala… Hindi po uubra ang layunin ng ating vaccination program. Maiiwan po ‘yung talagang nangangailangan ng bakuna,” Dr. Antonio Dans said at a news conference.

Malacañang said the three priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination are frontline workers in health facilities, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities. 

“‘Wag sana tayong mag-unahan. Hindi dapat according to capacity to pay. Dapat according to exposure, risk, need, and capacity,” Dans urged.

The HPAAC also stressed that vaccines must be “rationed” as the world grapples with a scarcity of supply amid the pandemic.

“Hindi naman natin sinasabing hindi sila babakunahan. Ang sinasabi lang, hindi pa ngayon kasi uunti pa ang supply,” Dr. Anna Ong-Lim said. “Kahit hindi ka nabakunahan, kung ‘yung mga pinaka-high risk ay natututukan natin, magkakaroon ‘yan ng positive impact.”

Dr. Aileen Espina also urged Filipinos to “call out anyone who’s cutting the line” for vaccines.

“Ito po ay panahon ng pagpaparaya… Isipin natin, mas meron pong makikinabang sa bakuna kesa sa atin,” she said.

The Philippines has so far secured over 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with inoculations set to begin this month.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the vaccines may arrive this week. 

The country has 537,310 infections with 499,798 recoveries and 11,179 deaths as of Sunday afternoon. — RSJ, GMA News