A DSWD personnel volunteers to get inoculated of COVID-19 vaccine during the ceremonial vaccination of essential workers and economic frontliners listed under the A4 category at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on June 7. (photos from DSWD-NRLMB)
As its commitment to support the vaccination program of the government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) participated in the ceremonial vaccination of essential workers and economic frontliners under the A4 priority group on June 7 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Five frontliners of the department from the National Resource Logistics Management Bureau were inoculated during the symbolic vaccination led by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Crestian Maizo, 35, was one of the volunteer-vaccinees from the Department. Despite having hypertension, he did not hesitate to get vaccinated and took the advantage when the call for volunteers was opened.
“Tama pala ang desisyon ko dahil kahit may maintenance, hindi naman daw makakaapekto. Puwede pa rin ituloy ang pag-inom ng gamot” (My decision to get inoculated was right. They said that the vaccine does not react with the maintenance medicines. So, I can still take them), he said.
Likewise, Crestian believed that getting the jab will help an individual, most especially those who are required to physically report to work like him, to protect not only oneself but also his or her family from the virus.
“Interesado ako magpa-vaccine para makaiwas sa infection at hindi madaling mahawaan. Para [sa] safety na rin ng aking pamilya, [may] dalawa akong anak at asawa. Araw-araw kasi akong pumapasok” (I would like to get vaccinated to protect myself from getting the virus. It is also for the safety of my family. I have two children and a wife. This is important most especially for someone who reports to office everyday like me), he added.
Before the administration of vaccine, the volunteers had to undergo registration and counselling on its possible adverse effects. They also stayed after the vaccination for observation. Participants were required to wear facemask and face shield and practice social distancing at all times.
DSWD volunteers were part of the momentous vaccination kick off for A4 population with some 50 essential workers, including food delivery riders, fast food chain crew, drivers, celebrities, BPO workers, media practitioners, tourism workers, mall personnel, and other government employees.
The Department, on the other hand, continues to coordinate with and assist the DOH in the dissemination of necessary and relevant information regarding the vaccination program of the government.
Achieving population protection
The program started off with the Pledge of Commitment of both public and private sectors in working together and in ensuring to achieve the population protection.
The said vaccination of the A4 category was conducted after the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 expanded it by including as its sub-groups private employees required to physically report to work, government employees, and workers in the informal sector and the self-employed.
Moreover, the government assured the public that it has enough vaccine supplies to cover the A4 population from NCR+8 which covers NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.
NTF Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that more than 10.1 million doses and more or less 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from different suppliers, are expected to be delivered this June and in August, respectively.
Furthermore, the chairman of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Sen. Cristopher “Bong” Go, urged the public during his recorded message to register for vaccination once qualified for them to be protected.
The Department is one with the rest of the bureaucracy in the goal of mass vaccination for population protection.
