Solons want to add dentists, medical technologists as COVID vaccinators

Public school teachers receive Sinovac jab during the COVID-19 vaccination effort of the City Government of Manila on April 13, 2021, at the Palacio de Maynila, Roxas Boulevard. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Three lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed a bill seeking to add dentists and medical technologists as vaccinators in the government’s COVID-19 vaccine program.

Under House Bill No. 9354 filed on Tuesday, Quezon Province Rep. Angelina Tan, Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte, and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo underscored the need for additional medical personnel to function as vaccinators to help in the rollout of the COVID-19 inoculation program in the country.

The measure seeks to amend Section 9 of the Republic Act No. 11525 or the “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021” by allowing dentists and medical technologists to administer the shots.

“With the arrival of more vaccines in the country, the swift rollout of the vaccine is needed for the efficient administration and to prevent possible expiration of the doses,” the lawmakers said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“This bill aims to amend Republic Act No. 11525 to add additional medical personnel as vaccinators to help in the inoculation and effective rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines in the country,” the lawmakers added.

Currently, aside from doctors and medical professionals, only duly trained pharmacists and midwives are allowed to administer doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

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