THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, May 13, 2021, said it has launched a vaccination campaign for its teaching and non-teaching personnel.
In a statement, DepEd said its Vacc2School campaign aims to inform, educate and engage its personnel in promoting the vaccination program against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The DepEd statement did not state whether the prioritization framework is being followed.
Under the government’s prioritization framework, frontline DepEd personnel are classified under Priority Group A4, or essential workers.
Some DepEd personnel may, however, also fall under Priority Group A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities).
Only Priority Groups A1 (health workers), A2 and A3 are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, a senior citizen, recently received the vaccine, according to the statement.
“I am encouraging everyone, especially the teachers, and other education personnel to participate in this campaign, and make informed decisions on vaccination to further intensify and advance our chances of safely returning to school,” Briones said.
“We would like to encourage our teachers to vaccinate themselves because it is not only a matter of protecting your personal rights, it is also a matter of protecting the lives and health of children which is also entrusted to our care,” she added.
Under the Vacc2School campaign, DepEd will participate in three levels: (1) as recipients or beneficiaries of the vaccine; (2) as members of the different task groups on vaccination; and (3) as champions for advocacy of the immunization program.
Various materials will be launched throughout the campaign to maximize available platforms in communicating its objectives.
The campaign introduced the characters of Teacher Edna, Doctor Edu, and learners Kaye and Sean in educating DepEd personnel and stakeholders on their roles in mitigating the virus that causes Covid-19. (SunStar Philippines from PR)