DOH urges LGUS to identify barriers to non-vaccination among  A2, A3 priority groups; vows to provide support in improving access

By DOH

MANILA, June 2 — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to identify reasons for non-vaccination of those belonging to A2 and A3 priority groups, following reports on the low vaccine coverage among senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.

While the national government and LGUs continuously intensify its information dissemination campaigns, it is also prudent to assess what LGUs and vaccination sites can do more to improve access of senior citizens and persons with comorbidities to vaccination. Identifying these issues will help LGUs employ more targeted and localized measures to improve access and eventually scale up vaccination of these vulnerable populations. Among the issues initially identified are internet connectivity as more LGUs implement online registration, and accessibility of designated vaccination sites.

In a Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization, Masterlisting, and Registration conducted by the DOH today, San Juan City featured their method of house-to-house registration for residents without internet access. The DOH called on LGUs to adopt such best practices to be able to reach and vaccinate more Filipinos in the A2 and A3 priority groups.

“Patuloy din po ang ating panawagan sa ating mga local na pamahalaan na siguraduhin na ang ating mga kababayan na nasa A1, A2, at A3 ay may access sa pagregister sa pagbabakuna.” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Efficient registration enables a more organized system in identifying eligible priority groups, scheduling, recording information, and managing the flow of people in vaccination sites.

The DOH emphasized the importance of continuously improving the implementation of the national vaccination program, as the government prepares to vaccinate the A4 priority group. Further, the DOH committed to assisting LGUs in improving their vaccination process to be able to serve more Filipinos.

As of May 31, 1.3 million senior citizens have received their first dose while around 258,000 received their second dose. Additionally, 1.2 million persons with comorbidity have been vaccinated with their 1st dose while around 294,000 received their second dose.

The DOH continues to remind the public to take their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine as scheduled to acquire full protection against the severe form of COVID-19 and avoid hospitalization.  (DOH)