Iya Villania and Drew Arellano, among those in A4 category to receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Drew Arellano and Iya Villania received their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine early Monday morning.

The married couple, who are both TV presenters, were among 50 representatives from the A4 category who took part in the government's ceremonial A4 vaccination event held at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

Media personalities Drew and Iya Arellano were among the 50 A4 representatives vaccinated along with workers from the BPO industry, food delivery, government, transport driver, security guard and sales clerk. @gmanews (Screen grab via PTV4) pic.twitter.com/dutil6KWk5

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) June 7, 2021

Iya shared a photo on her IG stories, saying "COVID-19 vaccinated... Well, first dose at least."

"Unang Hirit" host Suzi Entrata and her husband, broadcaster and TV host Paolo Abrera also received their shots of the vaccine during the event.

According to GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo, participants also included representatives from different A4 sub-categories, including workers from BPO industry, food delivery, and government.

A4 vaccination

The government has announced that COVID-19 vaccination of "A4" individuals will be prioritized in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

The Inter-Agency Task Force has simplified the category to include all government and private sector workers, informal sector workers, and those who work in private households, who need to physically report to work.

The A4 group was formerly focused on economic frontliners and personnel who have high levels of interaction with the public and are needed to ensure security and consumer and worker safety.

The expanded A4 category also prompted the government to prioritize vaccination of those aged 40 to 59 years old.

The government has bared a plan to divide the vaccination rollout of the A4 category into two phases, with Phase 1 for A4 workers in NCR+8 and Phase 2 for A4 workers outside NCR+8.

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News