DOH rejects vaccine pass proposal for indoor establishments

The Department of Health on Friday thumbed down a proposal to provide “vaccine pass” to vaccinated individuals entering indoor establishments.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stressed that there is still insufficient evidence to prove that COVID-19 vaccines can provide immunity and block transmission.

In an online briefing, she pointed out that the only assurance or benefit that we get from the vaccines is reducing severe infections and hospitalizations, and there is no certainty yet on prevention of infections.  

“Ang pinaka-assurance o benepisyo na nakukuha natin sa vaccines is reducing severe infections and hospitalizations. But as to preventing mild to moderate infections, hindi pa rin po tayo nagbibigay ng ganyang assurance sa ating mga kababayan.” 

“Even if you are fully vaccinated… kailangan pa rin po natin magpatupad ng minimum health protocols at ito pong sinasabing vaccine pass ay hindi pa rin po mairerekomenda ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan,” she added.

[Those vaccinated still need to follow minimum health protocols. The DOH does not recommend yet this proposed vaccine pass.]

Indoor dining can resume at 20% seating capacity once Metro Manila and neighboring provinces return to the less strict general community quarantine (GCQ) status, with heightened restrictions, on May 15.

However, entertainment and recreational venues such as bars, concert halls, theaters, internet cafes, and arcades, as well as other indoor tourist attractions, are not yet allowed to resume operations.

On Thursday afternoon, the Philippines logged 1,124,724 COVID-19 cases with 1,050,643 recoveries, and 18,821 deaths. 

Over two million people in the country have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of May 11. —LBG, GMA News