Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday that despite the recommendations of some experts to forego health screening before inoculation, it will remain a requirement before receiving the first and second vaccine dose.
According to the health official, screening before vaccination is important so they can check for symptoms related to COVID-19 or any other illness.
“Kung kayo ay may simtomas related sa COVID, hindi muna namin kayo bibigyan. Siniscreen namin kung sakaling meron kayong mga atake ng inyong current co-morbidities na hindi pwedeng bigyan during that time,” Vergeire said in a briefing.
Vergeire said vaccinators need to be reminded of this important step.
The Department of Health does not allow the inoculation of people with blood pressure of 180/120 or higher with signs and symptoms of organ damage during the screening process. However, the Philippine Heart Association and Philippine Society of Hypertension recently issued a recommendation to skip taking blood pressure and other vital signs because this leads to “significant vaccination deferrals and delays.”
The health official also noted there is no more need to ask for informed consent for the second vaccine shot since this has been obtained during the administration of the first dose.
