The Department of Health reported 13 adverse events following immunization (AEFI) that occurred during the first day of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 13 vaccine recipients experienced high blood pressure, pain at the injection site, itchiness, rashes, headache, and nausea.
“All of them are common and all of them are minor adverse events,” she said in a virtual briefing. “Wala sa kanilang na-admit, lahat sila ay inobserbahan, na-manage, at after a while they were all sent home.”
The DOH said the government, not the vaccine manufacturer, will be held liable for AEFI since the vaccines are still under development and emergency use authorization (EUA).
“Huwag lang merong gross negligence talaga on the part of the manufacturer and also the healthcare worker… Ang gobyerno ang sasagot, magpapagamot, magbabantay, tutulong sa mga taong magkakaroon nitong mga adverse events na ‘to,” she said.
According to COVID-19 Vaccination Program Law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, “public officials and employees, contractors, manufacturers, volunteers and representatives of duly authorized private entities who are duly authorized to carry out and are actually carrying out the COVID-19 vaccination program will be immune for suit and liability under Philippine laws with respect to all claims arising out of, related to, or resulting from the administration or use of a COVID-19 vaccine under the COVID-19 vaccination program except arising willful misconduct and gross negligence.”
13 adverse events reported on first day of COVID-19 vaccination – DOH
It also requires the Department of Health (DOH) to issue a COVID-19 vaccine card, subject to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act.
The COVID-19 vaccine card should contain the following:
- full name
- present/permanent address
- birthdate
- COVID-19 vaccine brand name
- date of vaccination
- name of the health care facility where the vaccine was received
- name, signature and license number of the duly licensed physician, nurse and other health workers administering the vaccine, among others.
“To fast track the process, the DOH may delegate the processing and issuance of vaccine cards to LGUs and private entities, subject to the guidelines promulgated by DOH,” the law read.