DepEd sees 'no conflict' in setting up vax sites near polling centers on election day
The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed support for the initiative of the Health Department to set up Covid-19 vaccination sites near schools to be used as polling centers during the May 9 National and Local Elections (NLE).

“I think there is no conflict on that and we still encourage our people who have yet to get vaccinated to go there and be vaccinated,” DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua said in a mix of English and Filipino during the 2022 DepEd Election Task Force (ETF) National and Local Elections (NLE) press conference on Friday, May 6.
Pascua, who is also the ETF chair, explained that putting up vaccination sites at least 30 meters away from the polling centers is a program of the Department of Health (DOH).
DepEd Election Task Force (ETF) head and Director IV Marcelo Bragado, Jr. also clarified that the vaccination sites will not be set up inside school premises.
“ usapan, sa labas ng polling centers, 30 meters beyond,” he said.
While DepEd supports this DOH initiative, Pascua stressed that getting vaccinated against Covid-19 is not a “requirement” to vote.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/02/doh-mulls-placement-of-covid-19-vax-sites-near-voting-centers-on-election-day/
Bragado also agreed, saying: “Hindi requirement ang vaccination para makaboto pero available ang vaccination centers malapit sa voting precincts para sa mga gustong mag avail ng vaccine/booster (Vaccination is not a requirement to vote but vaccination centers are available near voting precincts for those who want to avail of the vaccine/booster).”
The DOH, Bragado said, has allowed vaccination centers near schools --- but not at polling sites on election day --- for those who want to get vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19.
“This will not be used as a condition to vote, this is a voluntary initiative before or after and will be done outside the polling centers,” he added in a mix of English and Filipino.
Based on the election statistics released by DepEd, there are 37,219 schools to be used as polling centers with 647,812 DepEd personnel to serve as poll workers during the 2022 NLE.
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/03/comelec-says-putting-vax-sites-near-pollince-centers-might-mislead-voters/