Non-practicing medical workers not prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination –DOH

Non-practicing healthcare workers would not be on the top tier priority for COVID-19 vaccines, unlike practicing doctors, nurses, health workers who perform their duties at COVID-19 hospitals or facilities, Health Secretary Francisco Duque clarified on Monday night.

“They will not be considered as healthcare workers for the simple reason yung risk exposure nila halos wala compared to the healthcare workers in the hospitals, both local and national, both public and private,” said Duque during a live Cabinet briefing.

As for medical and health worker performing duties at hospitals and COVID-19 quarantine/isolation facilities “yan po talaga kasama po yan sa A1 [vaccine priority tier], sila po yung binibigyan natin ng prayoridad.”

“Ngayon kung doktor na hindi naman nagpra-practice, halimbawa negosyante naman siya, walang risk exposure in the same manner that healthcare workers have will actually working in the healthcare facilities are exposed,” Duque emphasized.

As for the non-practicing doctors and nurses, the Health Secretary said that they would be considered part of the general population, and must follow the pecking order in the prioritization.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte chimed, “Lets be on the reasonable side... kung hindi ka naman exposed sa anong klaseng mikrobyo because you have not visited any clinic or hospital then you should be considered an ordinary person and last in the priority of people who will get the vaccine early.”  — DVM, GMA News