House panel OKs bill adding dentists, medtechs as COVID-19 vaccinators

A health worker in Olongapo City administers a COVID-19 vaccine to an eligible resident on the priority list during its recent mass vaccination rollout at the SMX Convention Center in SM Olongapo Central (Photo courtesy of the Olongapo City Information Center)

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on health approved Wednesday a bill seeking to add dentists and medical technologists as vaccinators in the government’s COVID-19 vaccine program.

During its online meeting, the committee approved House Bill No. 9354 which seeks to amend Section 9 of the Republic Act No. 11525 or the “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021.  The bill was filed Tuesday by  Quezon Province Rep. Angelina Tan, Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte, and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.

The measure seeks to allow dentists and medical technologists to administer COVID-19 shots in light of the need for additional medical personnel to function as vaccinators to help in the rollout of the COVID-19 inoculation program in the country.

“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.

The measure will now be brought to the plenary for further discussions as well as a second and final reading vote.

/MUF