DOH: Kin, house help of seniors, immunocompromised can get COVID-19 vaccine too

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals may bring one relative or household helper to get vaccinated alongside them in a bid to boost the inoculation of the A2 and A3 sectors.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the “A2+1” and “A3+1” have been adopted as national policies.

Senior citizens form the A2 priority sector for COVID-19 vaccination, while persons with comorbidities belong to the A3 group.

“‘Yun pong ating mga lolo at lola, pwede silang magsama kahit na sinong kasambahay o 'di kaya kamag-anak nila para po sila ay mas mahikayat na magpabakuna,” Vergeire said in an online forum.

(Our grandparents can bring any household helper or relative for them to be more encouraged to get vaccinated.)

For the A3 sector, however, only immunocompromised individuals may bring a plus one.

“Ibig sabihin, ‘yun pong mga nagche-chemo therapy, ‘yun pong nagkaroon ng organ transplant, ‘yun pong mga meron pong sakit na hinang-hina na sila at kailangan talaga ng alalay pagpunta do’n, babakunahan din po ‘yung kasama nila,” Vergeire said.

(This means those undergoing chemotherapy, those who had an organ transplant, those who are frail, we will also vaccinate their companion.)

As of August 15, the Philippines has fully vaccinated over 3.69 million senior citizens and more than 4.74 million persons with comorbidities.

A total of 12,565,017 individuals have been fully vaccinated nationwide.—AOL, GMA News