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DepEd reiterates booster not required among students despite Marcos’ call
By GISELLE OMBAY,GMA NewsThe Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday reiterated that it is still not mandatory for students to receive their primary vaccine series and booster shots in preparation for the resumption of in-person classes despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s consistent call for the public, including the youth, to get their booster dose.
In a press conference, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa was asked for the vaccination policies that the DepEd will implement after Marcos said in a vlog on Saturday that it must be ensured that everyone, especially the children, has received their boosters to protect themselves from COVID-19.
He said that the DepEd only abides by the national policy that vaccination is not mandatory.
“Of course, we are one with the President in encouraging everyone to get either vaccinated or get their booster shots kung hindi pa sila nakakapagpa-booster (if they haven’t received their boosters yet). However, as we all know, the government’s vaccination program is not mandatory in nature. Voluntary pa rin po siya (It is still voluntary). As a matter of national policy, sumusunod din ang DepEd (DepEd follows the national policy). Hindi po tayo mandatory sa DepEd (We are not pushing for mandatory vaccination at DepEd),” Poa said.
He also said that the DepEd will not discriminate against those who are unvaccinated from the vaccinated both for learners, and teaching and non-teaching staff.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier said that the commingling
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Despite this, the DepEd is still coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to roll out mobile COVID-19 vaccination and organize counseling sessions among unvaccinated learners in schools.
Poa also underscored the importance of adhering to the minimum public health standards, in response to the statement of OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David on Tuesday that it is “very possible” for COVID-19 cases in the country to continue to increase once schools reopen.
“Siyempre po, we take the OCTA Research seriously, nakakatulong naman po ‘yan as guidance for us. However, if you look at other studies also like UNICEF, there is no direct correlation between in-person classes and transmission as long as nandiyan ‘yung minimum health and safety standards natin,” Poa said.
(Of course, we take OCTA Research seriously as they also serve as guidance for us. However, if you look at other studies also like that by UNICEF, there is no direct correlation between in-person classes and transmission as long as we adhere to our minimum health and safety standards.)
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday that there will always be risk of transmission of COVID-19 in crowded places, but people do not need to be afraid as long as the health protocols are adhered to.
Based on DOH’s latest data, 71.9 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 16.6 million have received their booster shots. —KG, GMA News