A COALITION of students from various schools and organizations asked lawmakers to include learners in higher education in the government’s vaccine priority list.

The Balik Silid PH said the immediate vaccination of students is critical to the gradual and safe reopening of schools.

“We pray that your good offices in Congress will help forward this appeal to appropriate government agencies — for the rights and welfare of the students,” the students said in a letter to Senator Joel Villanueva and Rep. Mark Go.

The coalition said herd immunity can be achieved by expanding vaccination efforts and promoting vaccine confidence.

The Commission on Higher Education earlier said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will discuss the possibility of including students in the Covid19 vaccine priority list.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the government’s campaign against Covid19, previously assured that the government will expand its vaccination drive to include those aged 17 and below.