TO PREPARE for the resumption of limited face-to-face classes, the government will provide vaccines for teachers and other education personnel, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

“Naka-priority po iyan at plano naming bakunahan ang lahat sa kanila this coming August. Ipa-priority po namin ‘yan, mag-allocate po kami separately for the Department of Education,” Galvez said.

He added that students in health-related programs are also part of the government’s vaccination program.

“In fact, lahat po ng mga nag-i-intern ngayon pati po ‘yung mga nagkakaroon ng examination ay isinasama na po natin sa vaccination,” Galvez said.

“Kung magkakaroon po tayo ng enough supply by September in order to have face-to-face — magkakaroon po tayo ng initial phasing dun sa mga estudyante na magkakaroon po ng face-to-face, lalo na po ‘yung CHED at ‘yung mag-i-intern as health professionals,” he added.

Galvez noted that the task force is waiting for advice from the Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group for Covid19 and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee on when to start the vaccination of children.

“Hinihintay lang po namin ‘yung directive ng ating NITAG at ng STAC kung kailan po tayo pwedeng magbakuna ng mga 12 years and below so that we can also prioritize ‘yung mga students po na magkakaroon ng face-to-face classes,” he said.

“The government is doing its best to acquire a sufficient supply of vaccines so it could further expand the vaccination drive to children,” he added.