Vaccination should never be forced.
An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) said this amid the plan of Hong Kong to require foreign domestic workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) before their contracts can be renewed.
"Vaccination is our frontline defence against COVID-19. To be vaccinated is our own personal safety. It is also our lasting service for all, that is, we keep them protected from coronavirus," CBCP ECMI Vice Chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a statement Tuesday, May 4.
"But we must also take into consideration personal health and consent of person. It should never be forced and no one should coerced," he added.
Santos said OFWs should also not be singled out for required vaccinations in their renewal of works.
"No one should singled out nor label as dangerous or potential carriers," he said.
Santos added common good and personal freedom should always prevail.