The Department of Health (DOH) said it is not recommending the proposal to issue a “vaccine pass” to fully vaccinated individuals for them to have access to indoor establishments.
"Hindi po kami sang-ayon sa ganiyang pagpapalakad o kaya magkakaroon tayo ng ganiyang proseso (We do not agree with such kind of move or process)," said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday, May 14.
“Sa ngayon po even if you are fully vaccinated, or completed two doses, kailangan pa rin magpatupad ng minimum health protocols, at ang sinasabi na vaccine pass ay hindi pa rin mairerekomenda ng ating Kagawaran ng Kalusugan (Right now, even if you are fully vaccinated, or completed two doses, minimum health protocols still need to be implemented. The so-called vaccine pass is not recommended by the DOH),” she added.
The Department of Trade and Industry and some business groups are reportedly eyeing to implement a "vaccine pass" system to indoor establishments.
The Health official said there is still not enough evidence that a fully vaccinated individual can no longer contract the viral illness.
"Wala pa po tayong sufficient evidence to say na ang isang taong with complete doses of vaccines already would have that kind of immunity na hindi na siya magkakaroon ng sakit o makakapanghawa (We still do not have enough evidence to say that a person who completed two doses would have that kind of immunity that he or she will no longer get sick or infect others)," she said.
"Sabi nga natin, ang pinaka assurance o benepisyo na makukuha natin sa vaccines is reducing severe infections and hospitalization, but as to preventing mild to moderate infections, hindi pa rin tayo nagbibigay ng ganyang assurance sa ating mga kababayan (As we say, the most assurance or benefit we can get from vaccines is reducing severe infections and hospitalization, but as to preventing mild to moderate infections, we cannot provide such assurance yet to our countrymen)," she added.