Galvez: Any valid ID can be used for COVID-19 vaccination

MANILA, Philippines — Individuals who are set to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may bring any valid ID for their inoculation, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.

He explained that the PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) is just one of the unique identifiers needed to get the vaccine and not a requirement for vaccination.

“Puwede naman nilang gamitin iyong lahat ng mga puwedeng IDs po nila,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(They can use any of their valid IDs.)

“Wala naman pong problema for as long as magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag na unang-unang prescreening and also iyong prelisting na at least maba-validate po na taga-doon po siya talaga; and then also iyong office ID po puwede po iyon,” Galvez added.

(There will be no problem as long as there are a pre-screening and pre-listing that could validate that they are from the area. They can also use their office ID.)

He said local government units are currently conducting pre-registration and application so that vaccinees could undergo pre-screening and pre-listing.

Galvez encouraged the public to get pre-screened or obtain early information from their respective LGUs so that vaccination can run smoothly.

He issued the clarification after the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said their PIN is a requirement prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

PhilHealth president and chief executive Dante Gierran told prospective vaccinees to be ready and memorize their PIN to avoid delays in vaccination.

Under the Department of Health Memorandum Order 2021-0099, all potential vaccine recipients need to be registered using unique identifiers. One of them is the PhilHealth ID.

Gierran said those who do not know their PIN or not yet registered with PhilHealth should coordinate with any PhilHealth office to provide them their PIN or facilitate their registration.

KGA