No such thing as ‘Vax Exempt Card’ – DILG
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, warned the public against so-called “COVID-19 vaccination exemption cards” that can allegedly be used by unvaccinated individuals to be exempted from stay at home orders, ride public transportation, and enjoy other privileges.
“The public is warned that there is no such thing as a “vaccination exemption card.”This is not authorized, issued, nor recognized by the government. In other words, these are fake,” said DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
Quoting from DILG field reports, the “exemption cards,” which supposedly originated in Facebook groups and group chats in Regions 11 and 12, can allegedly be registered to local government units (LGUs) and are supposedly recognized by local authorities in lieu of COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Malaya said the government will never issue nor recognize such cards because this runs counter to the government’s national vaccination program to inoculate the majority of the populace to achieve population protection.
“Malaking kalokohan ito. Hinding-hindi mag-iisyu ng exemption ang pamahalaan kanino, except for medical reasons, dahil ang gusto nga natin ay mabakunahan na ang lahat bilang proteksyon laban sa iba’t ibang COVID-19 variants,” Malaya said.
He expressed dismay that some people will resort to such gimmicks and disinformation so that they will be exempted from vaccination and even dupe others into believing that they can be exempted from vaccination.
“Nakakagalit na ayaw na nga nating magpabakuna ay pinapaniwala pa natin ang iba na puwede silang ma-exempt. Marami na pong nabiktima at namatay sa COVID-19. Ang bakuna ang nakasalba sa maraming tao sa mundo,” he added.
Quoting further from field reports, Malaya said people are being asked to put their name, birthdate, address, and signatures to the green vaccination exemption card being shared in FB groups and group chats, have the cards printed, laminated, and registered to their barangay/city/municipal LGUs.
“The so-called exemption cards look similar to the green COVID-19 Vaccination Cards being issued by several LGUs. Sa biglang tingin aakalain itong tunay dahil pareho ng kulay, format at hitsura,” he said.
Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año urged LGUs to recognize both the LGU-issued vaccination card and the DOH-issued VaxCertPH digital certificate, whichever is available, during inspections by law enforcement or barangay officials.
Per Department of Health (DOH) and National Task Force Against COVID-19 Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-0001, a standardized COVID-19 vaccine card shall be issued to vaccine recipients to ensure completion of the required doses by documenting details of their vaccination subject to the provisions of RA 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.”
