DOH sets COVID-19 vaccine info drive to counter false claims

FILE PHOTO: Small bottles labeled with a “Vaccine COVID-19” sticker and a medical syringe are seen in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that it will roll out an  information dissemination drive to counter false claims about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)  vaccine. 

DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they are working closely with local government officials to kick off the  information drive by the third week of December.  

“We know a lot of those anti-vaxxers at nagpapalabas na po tayo unit-unti ng impormasyon. Atin pong natapos ang communication plan para maumpisahan na ang pagbibigay ng information,” Vergeire said in an online media forum. 

(We are slowly releasing information. We already finished our communication plan so we can start disseminating the information.)

Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Rosario Vergeire. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS)

Last week, Facebook announced that it will remove false claims about the COVID-19 vaccine that are posted on the social media site. 

Vergeire also clarified that health care workers will need to explain the adverse effects of the vaccine. They are also required to secure consent from the recipient. 

“Please remember pag nagbigay ng bakuna ipapaalam maayos sa community ano ang advantages nito at kung ano ang adverse effect na magkakaroon ang isang tao,” she explained. 

(Please remember that when we administer the vaccines, we will properly inform the community of its advantages and adverse effects.)

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