AS the government prepares for the fourth round of Bayanihan, Bakunahan or National Vaccination Day in March, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian proposed the tapping of schools and field units of the Department of Education to increase vaccination coverage of children.

The senator said that vaccination is crucial to ensure the safe resumption of face-to-face classes.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture has batted for the resumption of in-person learning to jumpstart the recovery of the education sector.

The fourth National Vaccination Day will prioritize senior citizens and the primary series for the pediatric population.

Gatchalian said that tapping schools is an efficient way to identify and monitor learners who are eligible to receive the Covid19 vaccine.

“Magandang pagkakataon ang fourth national vaccination day upang mabakunahan pa ang mas marami nating mga mag-aaral. Kung mas marami tayong mababakunahan na mga mag-aaral, mas makatitiyak tayo sa kanilang kaligtasan pagdating sa face-to-face classes,” he said.

Around 14 million learners aged 5-11 are eligible to get jabs, the DepEd said.

The lawmaker said that the fourth national vaccination day is an opportunity to ensure that eligible teachers can receive their booster shots.

Only vaccinated teachers are allowed to participate in face-to-face classes, while vaccinated learners are given preference.