IATF simplifies list of A4 workers for priority vaccination

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  • The list of vaccinees under the A4 priority group has been simplified under Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No 117
  • All workers under priority group A4 in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao now next on the government’s vaccination program
  • IATF Resolution 117 also approved recommendation to refine the Priority Group A4 of the government’s vaccination program
  • Local government units to continuously prioritize A1, A2, and A3 priority groups, and for A4, preference may be given to persons aged 40 to 59 years old over 18 to 39 years old

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has simplified the list of vaccinees under the A4 priority group.

Prior to the new regulation, persons under A4 were classified into many subgroups, including transportation workers, market vendors, religious leaders and overseas Filipino workers.

Under IATF Resolution No. 117 dated May 27, workers under A4 in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao will be next on the inoculation block after the first three priority groups (healthcare workers, senior citizens and persons with co-morbidity).

The resolution also approved the recommendation to refine the Priority Group A4 of the government’s vaccination program. Those eligible under A4 now include the following:

  • Private sector workers required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside their residences
  • Employees in government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units
  • Informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences, and those working in private households

From A4, the IATF likewise re-categorized to Priority Group A1 outbound overseas Filipino workers for deployment within the next four months from the intended date of vaccination. Immediate family members of healthcare workers are also now included under A1 once vaccine supply becomes available.

Meanwhile, local government units should continuously prioritize A1, A2, and A3 priority groups by establishing special lanes and/or vaccination centers for health frontliners, senior citizens, and other vulnerable sectors of the population.

For A4, LGUs may give preference to persons aged 40 to 59 years old over 18 to 39 years old.

Workers under A4 belong to priority economic sectors—those with high levels of interaction with or exposure to the public and cannot dutifully practice the minimum public health standards at work; are needed to ensure security, consumer and worker safety; and are working in priority government projects.

READ: Truck drivers, helpers fall under 4th priority group for vaccination

According to the National Economic and Development Authority’s recommendation submitted to the Department of Health, there are an estimated 12.833 million workers in the A4 priority group.

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