Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire (File photo)
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged the public not to “crucify” a healthcare worker over failure to properly inoculate a Covid-19 vaccine.
“Let us try not to crucify the healthcare worker. Nagkakamali po tayo lahat. So, sana maintindihan natin (We all make mistakes. So, we ask for understanding),” DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual presser.
She confirmed that the viral video showing a healthcare worker failing to administer a Covid-19 jab was “human error.”
Vergeire said the mistake may have occurred due to exhaustion, but it still cannot be justified as she called on the public to report any similar error to help avoid similar incidents in the future.
In response, she said vaccination sites and healthcare workers have been advised to remain aware and cautious at all times in following protocols, be aware of their own physical condition, and to follow three simple steps during the vaccination.
These steps include knowing which vaccine will be administered, ensuring all processes are followed, and checking of the syringe after inoculation.
For those who will receive the vaccine, she said they may ask their vaccinator to show the syringe to them before and after their inoculation.
She said the local government units (LGUs) and administrators of vaccination sites should be strict in monitoring the vaccination site to limit the work hours of healthcare workers to eight hours each day to prevent exhaustion.
The government aims to vaccinate 70 million within this year.
Earlier, the DOH announced its investigation of the “breach of vaccination protocol” in the viral video that circulated on social media.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the incident will be used to improve the national vaccination program’s speed, scale, and quality of service—especially as more vaccines arrive in the country. (PNA)
