Filtered By: Topstories
News

Robredo urges vaccine prioritization for people who can't work from home


Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday suggested that those who are not able to work from home but have comorbidities should be prioritized for the nation's immunization program against COVID-19.

"Pero sa akin, iyong suggestion ko lang, Ka Ely, sana may subgroup pa iyon—sana iyong mga less than 60 na may comorbidity, unahin sana iyong walang capacity mag-work-from-home," Robredo said on her radio program.

(My suggestion is that the subgroup -- those aged below 60 but have a comorbidity -- those among them who cannot work from home should be vaccinated first.)

"Kasi iyong iba work-from-home naman, nasa bahay lang, tapos nakipag-unahan pa sa vaccine. Sana mauna—at tulungang hanapin sila, kasi ang iba hindi naman marunong mag-register online, so dapat mas proactive iyong pagyaya," the vice president added.

(Because some people can be at their homes, can work from home but they scramble to get vaccinated. I hope that those who have no choice but to go out and earn a living, they should get vaccinated first.)

Robredo was particularly referring to workers such as public transport drivers and those who work at groceries and drugstores, as well as vendors at the market.

These workers are more exposed to the virus so they should be vaccinated first since supplies are low, the vice president added.

"Iyon, Ka Ely, wala iyong capacity na mag-work-from-home, so sana sila iyong unahin. Huwag na sana muna makipag-unahan iyong sa bahay naman nagtatrabaho, kasi kulang pa iyong bakuna ngayon," said Robredo.

(Those who cannot work from home, they should be prioritized. I hope those who can work from home would not join the scramble for vaccines, as there just isn't enough to go around.)

Communication

Meanwhile, Robredo called for a clearer public explanation about the use of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine on people over 60.

"Gaya ng Sinovac, mayroon ding natatakot na mga seniors. 'Bakit dati bawal, tapos ngayon puwede na? Dahil ba wala nang supply noong isa, kaya sinabing puwede na ito?'" Robredo said.

(Seniors are still scared of Sinovac. They wonder why it was suddenly approved. Is it because they ran out of the other brand of vaccine?)

"So sa akin, Ka Ely, iyong communication napakahalaga, kasi mataas na nga iyong mistrust sa vaccine, kung hindi pa maayos iyong communication, lalong madagdagan iyong natatakot," she added.

(Communication is important because there is a significant mistrust of vaccines. And a failure to communicate effectively would increase would only stoke fears.)

With AstraZeneca vaccines are running low, the government approved the use of Sinovac vaccines on seniors.

The Food And Drug Administration said the Sinovac rollout for seniors was better than waiting for new supplies to arrive. — DVM, GMA News
 

LOADING CONTENT