National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)
MANILA – Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is amenable to including the staff of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) among the vaccinees under the A4 priority group.
In an interview at the sidelines of the arrival of the CoronaVac vaccines Thursday, Galvez said he agreed with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on his suggestion to include the PRC personnel who are crucial in the conduct of medical-related licensure exams.
"We need more doctors, nurses, healthcare practitioners now more than ever. I agree with Senator Go on that. Yes, we have to include them," Galvez said.
Galvez led in welcoming the arrival of the latest 500,000 doses of government-procured CoronaVac vaccines from Beijing-based biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac at the Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"Definitely, if we have more licensed healthcare practitioners, it will fast-track the realization of the efforts that the front-liners have so far accomplished," Galvez said.
In proposing for the inclusion of PRC personnel, Go, Senate Chair on the Committee on Health and Demography, said there are over 50 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the PRC central and regional offices.
Go said due to the growing calls from nursing graduates for the conduct of the licensure exams, the PRC Covid-19 Task Force has recommended for the vaccination of the agency's front-liners, personnel and members of Professional Regulatory Boards, volunteer proctors and watchers.
The senator supported their appeal, noting the important role of the PRC in processing and evaluating professionals, particularly nursing graduates, to address the need of the country for more medical front-liners.
Under the A4 priority group, only personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel, are included. Workers in front-line health services, senior citizens, and persons with co-morbidities are under A1, A2, and A3, respectively. (PNA)
