DOLE Issues Guidelines on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine in the Workplaces

The Department of Labor and Employment issued today (12 March 2021) the Guidelines on the Administration of COVID 19 Vaccine(s) in the Workplaces. This is in light of reported incidences wherein the "No Vaccine No Work" policy was imposed on all workers working back or intending to report back to work last week.

It directed all covered establishment to adopt and implement appropriate vaccination program as part of the Occupational Safety and Health program in compliance with the guidelines and existing laws issued by the Department of Health and Interagency Task Force.

It also authorizes employers to procure COVID-19 vaccines, supplies and other services aside from seeking government agencies from procurement to administration of the said vaccines. The cost of the vaccines will not be charged to or passed to the employees.

The most important part of the guidelines pertains to employees: if the employee refuses or fails to be vaccinated (which is somewhat the direct results of the Dengvaxia incident - which resulted to negative impact towards vaccination or more likely the choice of the vaccine that the employee prefers to - but I digress here), the employer cannot discriminate any employee who refuses to do so. This covers among others - tenure, promotion, training, salary/wages - up to termination.

DOLE advises that all employers MUST encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID 19, regardless of what vaccine to be administered.