Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for eligible Filipinos pushed in House

(INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker in the House of Representatives wants to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all eligible Filipinos and those who refuse shall be penalized with imprisonment or a P10,000 fine.

Under House Bill No. 10249 or the “Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Act”, San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes  said all Filipinos shall be vaccinated except persons with “conflicting religious belief or with medical condition that would make vaccination detrimental to his/her health as certified by a duly licensed physician.”

All expenses for COVID-19 vaccines shall also be fully subsidized by the government, the bill states.

“People who have received their full dose of COVID-19 vaccine shall be given a Vaccine Pass as proof of their full vaccination status. The said Vaccine Pass may be used to access any public tourism resort, accommodation, assembly, or amusement center,” according to the bill.

The bill also notes that except for those not covered by the mandatory vaccination, those who will refuse to get their COVID-19 vaccine shall be imposed a penalty of imprisonment of up to 30 days and/or a fine of P10,000.

“In the Philippines, the implementation of a mandatory vaccination program is also not uncommon,” Robes said as she cited several laws on vaccination such as the mandatory immunization for infants and children.

“In the face of worldwide pandemic that is ravaging our country, it is crucial to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program for people who are eligible to get the vaccines in order to protect ourselves and our families but enable us to regain our economic foothold and resume our lives,” she added.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that vaccination is the “personal autonomy” of a person, adding that the issue is very debatable” because vaccines should only be given upon the consent of beneficiaries.

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