The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated on Friday, Sept. 17, that requiring workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is prohibited.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made the statement when asked what was the DOH reaction to the move of Davao City to require its government employees to get vaccinated against the viral illness.
Vergeire said that it is stated in Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 that getting vaccinated is not mandatory.
“Hindi po natin nirerekomenda na maging mandato o obligado ang isang empleyado na [maging] bakunado siya para magkaroon ng trabaho o makapasok sa kanyang trabaho (We do not recommend that an employee should be mandated or obligated to [be] vaccinated in order to have a job or for them to be able to go to work),” said Vergeire during a press briefing.
“Nakalagay din sa Republic Act 11525 na ang (Republic Act No. 11525 also states that) vaccine cards shall not be considered as an additional requirement for employment purposes. Maliwanag ito sa ating batas na sinasabi na (It is clear from our law that) vaccination is not mandatory,” she added.
The DOH spokesperson said that the country’s vaccine supply is still limited.
“Hindi natin dapat gamitin as purpose para makapasok ang isang tao sa trabaho dahil hindi pa naman po kumpleto ang supplies natin at marami po ang gustong magpabakuna pero hindi pa rin po sila natatawag for their vaccination (We should not use it as a purpose to allow a person to work because our [vaccine] supplies are not yet sufficient and many people want to get vaccinated but they have yet to secure a schedule for vaccination),” said Vergeire.
Meanwhile, Vergeire encouraged the public to get immunized against COVID-19 to protect themselves.
“While vaccination is not mandatory, we call on all eligible population to register to their respective LGUs and avail COVID-19 vaccines for free, for additional protection,” she said.