DoTr to plan for vaccination of transport workers

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is planning how to vaccinate transport workers against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This is after Malacañang said that they will be included in the priority list of those who will be vaccinated.

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According to the office, they will focus on the railways sector where MRT-3 has experienced two COVID-19 transmission incidents.

“Yan ay kino-coordinate sa kasamahan sa IATF na masiguro natin na maayos ang vaccination program. Sa mga nagsaasabi na ayaw nila magpa-bakuna ang ating pagkaintindi sa protocol ay ito ay susunod sa protocols sa DOH kapag umabot tayo sa puntong iyon,” said Transportation Undersecretary TJ Batan.

Malacañang recently announced that those in the transport sector are among the first to be vaccinated, especially since they are often outdoors and interact with others.

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They can be considered economic frontliners.

“Ito ang mga empleyado doon sa mag industriya na hindi natin ipasara at siempre transport workers kasama na rin diyan. So we are talking about transport workers, farmers, miners, fishermen, sila po ang economic frontlliners,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Also read: Those with allergies, pregnant women should consult doctor before getting vaccinated vs COVID-19

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DoTr to plan for vaccination of transport workers

Some drivers who spoke to ABS-CBN News, are still undecided on whether to get vaccinated, due to the side effects reported here.

“Sila na mauna. Mahirap na baka mamaya kami pa gagawing halimbawa yung epekto pala eh masama,” according to jeepney driver Buddy Reyes.

“Kung may second batch baka second batch po ako para maramdaman muna natin kung ano balita sa mga naiinject,” said taxi driver Fernando Agramon.

Some, like taxi driver Enrico Salazar, agreed to be vaccinated: “Oo naman, kung yun ang ikaliligtas mo sa COVID bakit hindi. Willing ako magpa-bakuna kung yan ang ikaano ng ano natin para di tayo magkaroon ng COVID 19 na yan.”

The agency will also set aside the plan for increasing the capacity of public transport after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered that the entire country not be placed in the MGCQ until there is no vaccine against COVID-19.