PRC allows dentists as vaccinators but DOH must order it —Abalos

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will allow dentists to be tapped as vaccinators but the Department of Health must issue an emergency order first, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said Monday.

In his report to President Rodrigo Duterte during the televised Talk To The People briefing, Abalos said they had met with Rotary Clubs, the Philippine Dental Association, and the PRC to help augment vaccination in provinces outside Metro Manila.

"Sumulat na po ang Professional Regulation Commission, papayagan na daw po nila ang mga dentista na maging vaccinators kung mayroong emergency order galing sa DOH. Yan ang kailangan. 'Di na kailangan i-amend ang batas at napakaraming manpower na maibibigay ito," he said in a taped Talk to the People.

[The PRC wrote that it will allow dentists to become vaccinators if the DOH issues an emergency order. That's what's needed. The law will not need to be amended and this will boost manpower.]

With more than 85% already vaccinated in Metro Manila, Abalos said local chief executives in the metropolis are willing to inoculate constituents living in nearby provinces.

Duterte earlier disclosed that there are already more than 25 million Filipinos who are fully inoculated versus COVID-19, which is far off the target to achieve herd immunity. — BM, GMA News