Poe: Tight record-keeping, documentation should complement vaccination cards

"Tight record-keeping and documentation" should complement the issuance of COVID-19 vaccination cards to vaccine recipients, Senator Grace Poe said Thursday.

In a statement, Poe expressed confidence that the local government units—which serve as the main implementors of the vaccination program— are putting up a “reliable system” to identify individuals who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines.

“While a standard digital certificate is ideal, the paper record issued to vaccinated individuals should bear the integrity and protection against manipulation and abuse,” she said.

“Tight record-keeping and documentation should complement the vaccination cards to guarantee that the sensitive health data of our people are secure,” she added.

Poe emphasized that the Vaccination Program Act does not only aim to expedite the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines, but to guarantee the smooth implementation of the entire vaccination process which includes the vaccine card issuance.

“The vaccine cards will play a key role in reestablishing our global connectivity, facilitating travels and employment, and reviving the economy to help our people turn the corner,” she said.

Recently, Malacañang warned against faking COVID-19 vaccination cards to travel to different parts of the country.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said forging vaccination cards is a grave crime which carries heavy penalties including jail time.

Under the Revised Penal Code, the jail time for those found guilty of falsification of public documents ranges from two to six years. — BM, GMA News