MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), an auxiliary to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program, plans to provide 2,500 OFWs with Moderna vaccine jabs this July 2021.

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

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. PRC aims to jab a maximum of about 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.

This initiative began last Friday afternoon, July 9, 2021, when PRC provided 10 seafarer OFWs their first dose of Moderna at the PRC Bakuna Center in PLMC Mandaluyong City to protect them from COVID-19.

"Maraming salamat po sa Red Cross at Sen. 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," said Dante, one of the 10 OFWs vaccinated last Friday.

Those who wish to register may call PRC hotline 1158. (Philippine Red Cross)