Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20)— Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and seafarers set for deployment may soon be allowed to get COVID-19 booster shots, a task force official said Saturday.
At the Laging Handa briefing, Restituto Padilla, Jr, spokesperson of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said the government has approved the administration of booster vaccine doses for OFWs who are scheduled to leave in the next few months.
Padilla, however, noted that there is no set date yet for its implementation.
“Inanunsyo na po ni (Vaccine czar) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez, nakakuha ako ng kanyang confirmation, effective date na lang po ang ating iniintay,” Padilla said.
“Pasok naman sila sa A1 priority doon sa ating IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) resolution. So dahil po doon sa IATF resolution, maaari na po itong ipatupad if ‘yung mga OFW ay paalis na,” he added.
[Translation: This was announced by Secretary Galvez, I just got confirmation, we’re just waiting for the (effectivity) date. They’re included in the A1 priority in the IATF resolution. And because of the IATF resolution, this can be carried out if the OFW will be leaving soon.]
Further quoting Galvez, Padilla said the move aims to protect the livelihoods of the OFWs and for them to maintain a “competitive advantage” in the overseas labor market.
Booster shots are given to those whose immunity is decreasing over time after completing their COVID-19 vaccination. It is offered three to six months after the first vaccination series, depending on whether they received a single- or two-dose vaccine.
Medical frontliners began receiving their booster shots this week.
READ: COVID-19 booster shots in PH: What you need to know
In a separate text message to CNN Philippines, Padilla said the government is now crafting the guidelines for the rollout, adding that the Palace will make the announcement once the rules are ready.
