DOH eyes possibility of allowing pharmacists, midwives as vaccinators

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said that it was studying the possibility of allowing pharmacists and midwives as vaccinators for Covid-19 vaccines.

In a town hall discussion on the government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan, DOH USec. Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said that so far, only doctors and nurses are allowed to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

“We are also looking at the pharmacists, pinagu-usapan din namin yan ni [Food and Drug Administration director-general Eric Domingo], because the pharmacy law allows the pharmacist to do vaccination, so inaaral natin ‘yan,” she said.

(We are discussing it with DG Eric Domingo, because the pharmacy law allows the pharmacist to do vaccination, so we are studying that.)

Cabotaje also raised the possibility of also allowing midwives to administer the vaccines.

“They are all under the supervision of a physician. So ang importante po dyan ang may (so what’s important is that there is a) doctor na present in the vaccination site,” she said.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Domingo said that the DOH will make the guidelines on who is allowed to administer the vaccine.

During the Senate hearing on the government’s vaccination programs, Senator Richard Gordon questioned the DOH’s capability in vaccinating millions of Filipinos, citing the department’s data of having only 617,239 medical workers.

Gordon then proposed to train more vaccinators. Health chief Francisco Duque III has expressed agreement with the proposal.

The senator also said that he will file a bill on Monday which seeks to train more vaccinators such as dentists, veterinarians, and even those without a medical background.

/MUF