Senator Bong Go appealed to the President and his alter ego Vaccine Tsar Secretary Carlito Galvez to take into consideration the plight of our OFW’s who need to be vaccinated against the dreaded killer virus Covid-19 and allow them use of brands accepted worldwide.

In a press statement, Senator Go asked the vaccination team of the administration to consider the health security needs of our OFW’s, particularly the seafarers, who have to travel to multiple countries that may not recognize vaccines made from certain countries like China and Russia. Some European nations have expressed concern about the efficacy of vaccines made in China and said they may not recognize these shot if and when a vaccine passport system is implemented worldwide.

“Umaapela ako kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, Vaccine Czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., at sa iba pang namumuno ng ating National Vaccination Program na ikonsidera rin ang pangangailangan ng ating mga OFWs, kasama na riyan ang seafarers, pagdating sa brand ng bakuna na tanggap sa lugar na pagtatrabahuhan nila,’ said the Senator.

According to the Malasakit senator, many OFW in the country are hesitant to avail of the vaccines offered here in the country because the countries they will work in are looking for specific brands of vaccines.

“May ilan sa kanila na nag-aalinlangan na magpabakuna rito sa atin dahil may ibang mga bansa na naghahanap ng specific na brand, bagama’t napatunayan na namang ligtas at epektibo ang mga bakunang mayroon tayo. Hindi natin sila makukumbinsing magpabakuna ngayon kung takot silang hindi naman tanggap sa pupuntahan nilang bansa ang brand na ituturok sa kanila dito sa Pilipinas,’ he added.

“Kaya kung maaari, mag-allocate tayo ng bakuna na angkop para sa kanila na tanggap sa kanilang countries of destination. This must be done in compliance with requirements for vaccines coming from COVAX facility, as well as our own vaccine prioritization order,” said the Malasakit Senator.

The call was made even as the senator urged our OFW’s to support our national vaccine rollout program.”In the meantime, I am also encouraging our OFWs to support our National Vaccine Rollout—with an assurance that their concerns are being considered. Those belonging in the A1, A2, and A3 categories can already be vaccinated now, while the rest who are part of the A4 category can be vaccinated soon once supplies are sufficient to cater to the bigger population,” he urged tthe OFW’s