LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III is asking workers, both local and overseas, to get themselves inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the vaccine brand while Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded people living with HIV to secure medical clearance first before getting vaccinated.
Bello said in a video message released by the Department of Labor and Employment, told workers to get themselves inoculated “whatever brand is available.”
“Get inoculated. We need this to combat COVID-19. As long as there is a vaccine available, especially since it is free from the government, get vaccinated,” he said.
Frontline personnel in essential sectors are part of the Priority Group A4 of the government’s national vaccination program.
The Department of Health is inoculating Priority Groups A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (people with comorbidities).
About 3,000 overseas Filipino workers and 2,000 minimum wage earners were given COVID-19 jabs back on May 1 as part of the Labor Day celebration.
Bello was vaccinated on Saturday as part of the Priority Group A2. He got his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.
Duque, in a statement on the observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, said people living with HIV (PLHIV) are among few individuals who are required to get medical clearance before getting the COVID-19 shot.
