MANILA, Philippines — Vaccination against COVID-19 should not be made a requirement for employment or to keep one’s job, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said that while they are encouraging the public to get vaccinated and protect themselves against COVID-19, getting the vaccine is not mandatory under the law.
“Hindi natin nirerekumenda na maging mandato or maging obligado ang isang empleyado na bakunado siya para siya ay magkaroon ng trabaho o makapasok sa kanyang trabaho,” Vergeire said.
(We are not recommending that employees be obliged to get vaccinated so they can get employed or go to their jobs.)
“Maliwanag ito sa ating batas na sinasabing (It is clear in our laws that) vaccination is not mandatory but of course we highly encourage people to get vaccinated,” she added.
Vergeire noted that while many would like to get vaccinated, there is still not enough supply to immediately inoculate everyone who is qualified.
“Hindi dapat natin gamitin ito para maging purpose para makapasok ang isang tao sa trabaho dahil hindi pa naman talaga kumpleto ang supplies natin at marami namang gusting magpabakuna pero hindi pa rin sila natatawag for their vaccination,” Vergeire said.
(Vaccination should not be used as a reason for a person to be employed because the supplies are not enough yet and while many want to get inoculated, they are not yet called for their turn.)
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier reported that as of September 13, a total of 17,078,676 Filipinos have already received a complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while over 22 million individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine.