DOH seeks understanding as more videos of improper COVID-19 vaccination circulate

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday sought the public’s understanding of health workers as more videos of improper COVID-19 vaccination have circulated on social media.

At least two more videos have shown health workers failing to push the syringe plunger while administering a vaccine, following a similar incident in Makati. 

The DOH said it was “aware” of the latest videos to surface and had already coordinated with local authorities concerned.

“Patuloy po nating binabantayan at tinitingnan ang mga reports ng mga indibidwal na hindi nakakuha ng dose ng bakuna ng maayos,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.

(We continue to monitor and look into reports of individuals who were not vaccinated properly.)

“Ang hiling po namin ay tayo po ay maging mas maunawain sa ating mga healthcare workers, let’s not crucify them. Tayo pong lahat ay magtulungan upang mas maisaayos pa ang ating vaccination protocols,” she added.

(Our appeal is for us to be understanding of our healthcare workers. Let’s not crucify them. Let’s work together to improve our vaccination protocols.)

The DOH also said that the National COVID-19 Vaccine Operations Cluster recently conducted a re-orientation on protocols for regional and local vaccination teams.

Vergeire earlier urged vaccination teams to limit the work hours and regularly rotate health workers to prevent errors. 

The Philippines has vaccinated over 7.5 million individuals as of June 27, still far from the government’s target of inoculating 50 million to 70 million people this year. — RSJ, GMA News