THE Department of Health (DOH) has dismissed rumors that the government will give incentives and awards to individuals who have allegedly fallen victim or have had bad experiences with coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines.
The DOH made the clarification in an advisory after learning that there are pieces of information or messages circulating as false promises and offers of vaccine incentives.
“We urge everyone to always check official DOH sources before forwarding anything,” it said, as it urged the public to delete chain messages.
“Instead of spreading false and unverified rumors, let’s be responsible and do our part in sharing the right information. Let’s save lives before you click,” it added.
They reiterated that all vaccines provided by the government are proven safe and effective as these have undergone local and global peer reviewed studies and scrutiny by experts.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH Central Visayas’ chief pathologist, however, clarified the government will shoulder the hospitalization and treatment should there be adverse effects after Covid vaccination affecting the vaccinees.
Based on their guidelines, Loreche said the patients must be admitted to hospitals and managed in identified government facilities.
“The hospitalization and treatment is shouldered by the national government through PhilHealth case rate coverage and these patients must be admitted and managed in identified government facilities,” she said.
The chief pathologist further stressed that the assistance is not called incentives or awards, as who would want to develop adverse events after the vaccination in order to get such.
“It only means we are encouraging people to get vaccinated and should, God forbid, an adverse effect or reaction happen, there is the assurance that the government through PhilHealth will help with the cost,” she added.
No expiring vaccines
Loreche said about 10,036,335 doses of vaccines have so far been distributed to the local government units (LGUs) in the region as of Friday, May 27, 2022.
She said the region received about 11,083,947 doses of vaccines and there are no expiring vaccines by the end of June this year.
Loreche said the remaining 1,047,612 doses are currently in the custody of DOH 7 for the vaccination of the national government agency employees and their respective families and also in cases that LGUs will need additional allocation.