PH Red Cross to vaccinate OFWs, seafarers with Moderna vax

• Philippine Red Cross got 5,000 doses of Moderna vaccine from the government intended for OFWs and seafarers.

• Inoculation will be done in Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao this month.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), an auxiliary to the National Covid-19 Vaccination Program, plans to inoculate 2,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with Moderna vaccines this month.

“We have received 5,000 Moderna vaccine doses from the government free of charge,” PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon said. “These vaccines will be given to our OFWs and seafarers to protect them against Covid-19 before leaving the country.”

The PRC targets to give Moderna jabs to 2,050 individuals in Metro Manila, 150 in Cebu, 150 in Iloilo, and 150 in Davao until the end of this month.

It also seeks to vaccinate maximum of 200 individuals per day with labor agencies, manning agencies, and associations providing a shortlist of eligible OFWs and seafarers departing within the next four months.

The initiative started on July 9 when PRC provided 10 seafarer OFWs their first dose of Moderna at the PRC Bakuna Center in PRC Logistics and Multi-Purpose Center (PLMC) in Mandaluyong City to protect them from Covid-19.

“Maraming salamat po sa Red Cross at Senator Dick Gordon para sa aming bakuna. Malaking tulong po ito para maging ligtas kami kontra Covid-19 lalo na sa aming mga seafarers at OFWs. Mabuhay po kayo (Thank you very much to Red Cross and Senator Dick Gordon for our vaccines. It’s a big help to keep us safe against Covid-19 especially we as seafarers and OFWs. Long live),” said one of the 10 OFWs vaccinated last Friday.

Those who wish to register may call PRC hotline 1158. (PR)