Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — The government will soon allow one house mate of an elderly to get vaccinated as part of the priority framework, an official said on Monday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said this will help boost vaccination among senior citizens, who are part of the A2 priority group.
“It’s an operational strategy para mas mahikayat ang nakakatanda para magpabakuna. Kung isasama nila ang caregiver nila o kaya isang anak nila, mas mae-encourage natin sila magpabakuna,” she said in a media briefing.
She said the program dubbed as “A2 Plus 1” could help address low vaccination turnout among the elderly. She said they have heard stories of senior citizens who fear for their safety, so they may be encouraged to get the shots if they see someone they know who remains healthy after vaccination.
The country’s vaccine cluster will issue guidelines for the “A2 Plus 1” program, Vergeire said.
Over 3.1 million senior citizens were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while more than 2.9 million received their first dose. There are around 7.5 million senior citizens in the country.
