FILE PHOTO: Small bottles labelled with “Vaccine” stickers stand near a medical syringe in front of displayed “Coronavirus COVID-19” words in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is pushing for the immediate release of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine protocols and guidelines.
Ang Probinsyano Partylist Rep. Ronnie Ong said Thursday that as early as the present, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) should be informing the public of the required post-vaccination protocols and guidelines.
The protocols and guidelines, Ong said, should include a “comprehensive and systematic action plan” which covers both facilitation of the distribution of the vaccine and details on how the post-pandemic life would look like.
This is to ensure that all sectors would have a walkthrough on what to expect from the government and from their community, said Ong.
“Many of us are wondering as to the next concrete steps on the so-called life after the COVID19 vaccine. Saan gaganapin ang mass vaccination? What are the possible side effects of the vaccine? Pagkatapos ng vaccine, are those vaccinated allowed to forego the mask and face shield? Can they travel already domestically and abroad?'” Ong said.
(Where will the mass vaccination be held? What are the possible side effects of the vaccine? After the vaccine, are those vaccinated allowed to forego the mask and face shield? Can they travel already domestically and abroad?)
“Madaming mga tanong, at sana ay masagot ang mga ito nang mas maaga bago pa magsimula ang pag-administer ng vaccine,” he added.
(There are a lot of questions and hopefully these can be answered even before we administer the vaccine.)
For example, Ong said that this early, a comprehensive and detailed database of the vaccine recipients should be available, or if not, the government should already start setting it up instead of doing last-minute preparations when the vaccine is already available.
“We have to be very proactive this time. We have to set up the system this early and establish the best practices and protocols for every foreseeable scenario.” Ong said.
“Sa panahon ngayon mas maganda ang advanced mag-isip. Mahirap yung mabubulaga na naman tayo tapos magulo ang gagawing sistema ng pagbibigay ng vaccine, pati kung ano ang protocols pagkatapos makakuha ng vaccine,” Ong added as he cited the implementation of the first tranche of the Special Amelioration Program which caused confusion among recipients.
(During this time, it’s better to think ahead. It’s hard that we will just be surprised then the system of distributing the vaccine will be disorganized, as well as the protocols after getting vaccinated.)
Ong noted that there must be also a system for easier documentation and identification of people who have been inoculated to get away from circuitous verification procedures when outside, especially during travels, that would require proof of vaccination.
The lawmaker added that the national government can issue official QR codes or bar codes for those who have already been vaccinated, and these official QR codes must have a centralized database by the IATF to avoid fake codes.