Employees who would accompany their children to vaccination centers would be exempted from being marked absent, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said in an advisory.

“Employers are highly encouraged to allow their employees to be excused from work when they accompany their children on scheduled vaccinations, or when they must take care of their children with adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine on the day after the vaccination," said DOLE.

The agency issued the advisory in support of the government’s nationwide measles, rubella and oral polio vaccine (MR-OPV) immunization activity from April 1 to 15.

DOLE said the concerned employees are only required to present proof of their kids’ vaccination upon their return to work.

The national immunization campaign is being initiated by the government in response to a significant rise in measles and rubella cases within the country.

The DOLE said companies may allow workers to utilize their available leave credits during the immunization campaign period, subject to a company policy or collective bargaining agreement granting the same.

The advisory shall apply to all private sector employees who have children aged 6–59 months old.

Firms are also encouraged to provide information on measles-rubella and polio vaccines through online and offline platforms.

The DOLE advised employers to coordinate with local government units’ health departments on the scheduled immunization to ensure their employees’ children are included in the MR-OPV campaign.

The agency has also urged employers to consider setting up temporary vaccination stations within their premises and incorporating occupational health staff into the vaccination team, if feasible.