The city government said some 3,700 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who are bound for abroad have received their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.

Lady Gorre, an OFW working as an administrative assistant in Dubai for six years, received her vaccine on Aug. 18 and her second dose on Sept. 15.

Gorre admitted that she was initially hesitant to get vaccinated because she was planning to get pregnant. But she decided to get the shot when she learned that getting vaccinated reduces the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.

“I got vaccinated not only for myself, but it is also for the welfare of my elderly parents to avoid the complications of the disease,” she said.

The city government partnered with Marino Party-list for this vaccination drive, which covered weekends and holidays for the OFW and their families at the Matina Town Square compound starting Aug. 18.

The two-week vaccination express lane was opened after some OFWs raised concerns about the delay of the vaccination schedule.

Some of them are set to fly in a few months and their employers require that they get full doses before they leave the country.

Gorre shared that it was easy to pre-register online and the vaccination flow itself was smooth and organized.

She encouraged her fellow Dabawenyos to get vaccinated and help the government achieve population protection against the coronavirus. (PNA)