By Kenneth Paciente
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is now preparing for the simultaneous vaccinations of various sectors of population in the country.
Health care workers top the list followed by the elderlies and then those with preexisting comorbidities who fall under the A3 group.
Given the limited supply of the vaccines, the DOH identified the kinds of comorbidities or pre-existing conditions included in the sub-prioritization group.
In the DOH briefing Monday, Dr. John Wong, member of the data analytics technical working group against COVID19 said that “14.5 million non-elderly adult Filipinos have underlying conditions that increase their risk for unfavorable COVID19 outcomes.”
The identified comorbidities include chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, diabetes, and obesity.
“Because of the scarcity of vaccines, we have to prioritize those at highest risks for hospitalizations and deaths so after health workers these are the 2 groups of Filipinos that need to be protected next and these are based on scientific studies,” Dr. Wong pointed out.
Dr. Wong also emphasized that though depression “has to be found, through studies, that it increases the risks of severe diseases,” it is not “presently” included in the A3 group of diseases.
DOH spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire also reiterated that “DOH recognizes the value of mental health” and it is something that they have been addressing.
“Ang ginagawa po natin ngayon (What we are doing now) are all science-based and evidence-based so that we can rationally allocate these vaccines,” USec. Vergeire explained.
“Kapag sufficient na po ang doses natin, ‘yun pong mga individuals na may comorbidities na hindi po kasama riyan ay babakunahan din naman po natin (When doses are sufficient, individuals with comorbidities who are not included [in the A3 group] will also be inoculated),” Vergeire assured.
Non-elderly individuals with underlying comorbidities are advised to present a medical certificate, diagnosis certificate or doctor’s prescription within the last 6 months to vaccination sites to be able to register.
The government intends to intensify the vaccination efforts especially in “high burden areas” via the conduct of simultaneous vaccination for health care workers or the A1 priority group, senior citizens or the A2 priority group, and individuals with comorbidities or the A3 priority group as quick substitution list.
