IATF-EID Resolution No. 167-D, s. 2022

May 12, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 167-D, S. 2022

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Section 2 (c) of Executive Order No. 168 (s. 2014) mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to prevent and/or minimize the local spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

WHEREAS, on September 10, 2021, the President issued Proclamation No. 1218 (s. 2021) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until September 12, 2022, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) biosurveillance have detected B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, on October 01, 2021, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) submitted its recommendations on pediatric vaccination for children ages twelve (12) to seventeen (17) years, and extending the same to ages five (5) to eleven (11) years on February 11, 2022;

WHEREAS, the DOH accepted the HTAC recommendations on pediatric vaccinations and issued interim guidelines on the management and administration of COVID-19 Vaccine to the pediatric population with the informed consent of the parent/guardian.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF strongly encourages public and private educational institutions for basic education to undertake COVID-19 vaccination programs for their respective learners. For this purpose, the following shall be observed:

1. To provide an opportunity for children to be vaccinated, public educational institutions for basic education are enjoined to allow the DOH, in coordination with their respective local government units (LGUs), to facilitate the conduct of the COVID-19 vaccination programs within their premises. Corollary, private educational institutions for basic education may, with their consent, undertake vaccination of their learners in coordination with DOH and the LGU concerned within their premises. The aforesaid COVID-19 vaccination programs shall be conducted with the informed consent given and signed by the parent/guardian, and the assent given by the learner pursuant to applicable DOH guidelines.

2. The DOH, in coordination with the respective LGUs, shall ensure the proper implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programs for basic education learners in public and private educational institutions.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the IATF strongly supports the conduct of face-to-face classes for all public and private institutions for basic education. Notwithstanding the above stated provisions, COVID-19 vaccination shall not be made a requirement for the conduct of full face-to-face classes for basic education.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that the Co-Chairperson shall be duly authorized to sign this Resolution for and on behalf of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

APPROVED this May 12, 2022, via ad referendum.

(SGD.) DELFIN N. LORENZANASecretary, Department of National DefenseIATF Co-ChairpersonNTF Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an Undersecretary of the Department of Health;

2. I am the Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168 (s. 2014) and chaired by the Department of Health (DOH);

3. The IATF Secretariat holds office in the DOH Main Office, San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

4. I am the custodian of the records of the IATF, including the Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions;

5. IATF Resolution No. 167-D was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana upon the authority of the IATF Members;

7. I am executing this Certification for whatever legitimate purpose this may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 12th day of May 2022, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEOIC-Undersecretary of Health