EVERY now and then we hear of concerns over the slow COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the danger that these vaccines would expire without being used. This should not be allowed to happen.
The government should waste no time starting vaccinating essential workers instead of ending up throwing away vaccines that had expired. While health workers are on top of the priority list, other frontline workers deserve and need to be vaccinated as soon as possible, too.
Vaccination should be time-on-target because vaccines have expiry dates. Instead of throwing them away, use them now. While frontline health workers must always be first in line, priority should also be given to those who provide essential services and expose themselves to risks of infection in doing so.
After health workers, next in line should be other essential workers in case there is vaccine inventory in danger of being spoiled. A good operation is one which has a contingency. Even in airplanes, there is a wait list isn’t it?
We also see the need to give priority to vaccinating public transport drivers and workers who deliver essential goods. They meet and exceed the definition of essential workers who, by the nature of their work, are exposed to risk. They are in close contact with hundreds of passengers and customers a day.
If there’s no transportation, who would bring our nurses to the hospital, or cashier to the grocery, or the pharmacist to drug stores? Who will deliver food or groceries if there are no riders?
That’s why we repeat, if there’s a clear list of priorities, there wouldn’t be any jumping the line.
Giving vaccines to other essential workers is also urgent. These are the people who keep the lifelines of society open at great risk to themselves.
