The Department of Health (DOH) has planned to remove the pre-inoculation vital sign screening for COVID-19 vaccine beneficiaries to expedite the process.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, one of the reasons for the long queues in vaccination sites is the process of taking vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate.
“We were already given recommendation from Philippine Society of Hypertension, and also the Philippine Heart Association. Sinasabi nila, we don’t need vital signs screening before vaccination,” Vergeire said.
“Ang kailangan lang natin, especially for the blood pressure, would be ‘yung blood pressure na 180/120 or more,” she added.
The DOH has also issued guidelines directing vaccination sites to set up a special lane for those who need to be observed, such as those with established hypertension and organ damage.
The establishment of more vaccination sites would also help to expand vaccination capacity.
The Philippines is currently vaccinating 83,000 people per day, but the government it targeting at least 120,000 vaccinations per day with the arrival of more doses.
The DOH expressed confidence on this matter, more so with increased vaccine confidence among the public.
A survey conducted by the DOH from March 9 to March 30 showed that 75% of the respondents said they are willing to be inoculated, while 85.8% are willing to receive the jab if it is safe and efficacious.
“Even without the Pfizer vaccines during this time, mataas na yung kumpiyansa ng ating mga kababayan sa pagbabakuna, compared to the initial noong bago tayo mag-umpisa which was just at 60%,” Vergeire said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other restaurant groups are studying the possibility of using a vaccine pass. The DOH said minimum health protocols should remain in place despite getting vaccinated.
“Even if you are fully vaccinated meaning you have completed two doses, kailangan pa rin po natin magpatupad ng minimum health protocols. At ito pong sinasabing vaccine pass ay hindi pa rin po mairerekomenda ng ating kagawaran ng kalusugan,” Vergeire said. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
