EDITORIAL - No jab, no duty

In hospitals, vaccination is required especially for personnel assigned in COVID-dedicated and critical care wards. Some private employers are also requiring vaccination for workers whose duties make physical interaction unavoidable, such as food-related activities and personal care services. While unvaccinated employees are not being fired, their tasks are limited, and some are required to work from home.

This week the Philippine National Police launched a “no jab, no duty policy.” Like in the private sector, the PNP is not completely preventing unvaccinated personnel from carrying out their duties. But unvaccinated cops will be relegated to deskwork and will not be allowed to go out in the field. This will keep officers from taking on command positions, which require physical interaction with both personnel and the community.

The government has prohibited only the firing of employees who refuse to be vaccinated. It will be better, however, if the government can come up with clear guidelines on how employers or managers in both the private and public sectors can deal with personnel who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Yesterday, the country recorded only 356 new COVID cases – the lowest since July last year when 294 infections were registered. Health experts have said the falling number of infections indicates that the vaccines are working against the coronavirus, including its most infectious and virulent variant detected in the country so far, Delta.

On the other hand, there have been only a few reports of adverse reactions, mostly mild, to the vaccines. The jabs are recommended in particular for those with comorbidities, who are at higher risk of COVID infection. This should dispel fears of the vaccines adversely affecting persons with immune deficiencies or cancer, for example.

Other countries including the United States are implementing various types of vaccine mandates for certain sectors. The Philippine government should provide clarity in its policy and issue the necessary guidance on vaccine mandates.