THE Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office clarified on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, that students who will take part in the upcoming resumption of face-to-face classes are not required to get Covid-19 primary series vaccines nor booster shots.
DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa made the pronouncement following the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his weekend vlog for students to get vaccinated to ensure their protection amid the conduct of in-person classes.
“Of course we are one with the President in encouraging everyone to get either vaccinated or get their booster shots if they haven’t received their booster,” he said in a mix of Tagalog and English in a press conference.
“However, as we all know, the government’s vaccination program is not mandatory in nature. It is still voluntary,” he added.
Poa said learners, teachers and non-teaching staff, either vaccinated or not or with or without booster shots, will be allowed to take part in face-to-face classes.
He said in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), they will conduct counseling in schools to encourage unvaccinated teachers and parents or guardians of the learners to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Poa said it will be supported by mobile vaccination to ensure easy access to those who want to get vaccinated.
Octa Research fellow Dr. Guido David earlier said there is a very high possibility that Covid-19 cases will increase amid the resumption of in-person classes.
Poa, however, said local government units as well as schools, both public and private, were instructed to implement measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including the maintenance of minimum health protocols.
In Talisay City, Cebu, its health office is also sticking to DepEd’s order.
As for the booster shots, Talisay City Health Office head Dr. Lino Alanzado said they still have no available booster doses for children aged 5 to 11, but only for those 12 years old and above.
The booster shots are still available in Star Mall and Lagtang barangay gym.
The health office is also conducting booster shot drives in the city’s other 21 barangays by schedule.
Alanzado said if school authorities agree, they will visit schools to give booster shots to the students.
The Talisay City Health Office has already vaccinated more than 1,000 children aged 12 and above. (TPM / SunStar Philippines with BBT / TPT)