Single-dose COVID-19 vaccination mulled for OFWs —Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. is studying the feasibility of requiring only a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Bello pointed out the need for OFWs to meet their deployment schedule abroad.

“Pinag-aaralan ngayon ni vaccine czar Secretary Galvez na yung mga OFW natin kagaya ng seafarers, one time na lang ang bakuna nila,” he said.

(Secretary Galvez is now studying the feasibility of having OFWs like seafarers take a one-time vaccination against COVID-19.)

With this suggestion, Bello said OFWs will no longer be required to take a second dose of the vaccine.

On Friday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said OFWs due for deployment in the next four months are now included in the top priority list in the government's COVID-19 vaccination program.

These OFWs were moved up to A1 category from A4 in the prioritization list, Bello said.

According to Bello, these OFWs should present a verified contract of employment and undergo the usual process of inoculation.

If vaccines are not available in their local government units, Bello advised them to coordinate with the Department of Labor and Employment. —KBK, GMA News