Don’t lie about comorbidity to get COVID-19 vaccine, DOH warns public

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned the public against lying and falsifying documents about comorbidities to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said lying about having an illness is considered a violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases.

“Hindi lang diyan, baka hahanap pa tayo ng ibang batas na puwede nating gamitin pero ‘pag nagfa-falsify po kasi tayo ng mga sakit natin, katulad niyan, it’s going to be on public record, meron po 'yang mga penalties na. Meron na po tayong vina-violate niyan sa ating existing laws in the country,” Vergeire said in a briefing.

(We will also look for other laws that may be used in such incidents. When we falsify illnesses, especially in cases where it’s going to be on public record, there are corresponding penalties. We are violating existing laws in the country.)

“Don’t go to that strategy. Hindi niyo po kailangan gawin yan. Mag-antay lang po tayo at dadating ang mga bakuna para mabakunahan po tayong lahat,” she added.

(Don’t go to that strategy. You don’t need to do that. Let’s just wait until the vaccines arrive and we will all get vaccinated.)

According to a “24 Oras” report by Jun Veneracion on Thursday, local authorities in the cities of Cebu and San Juan caught some people lying about comorbidities to get vaccinated. 

Currently, only health workers, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and essential workers are eligible for vaccination due to the limited supply.

Persons with comorbidities must prove that they have a medical condition through a recently issued prescription, medical certificate, or laboratory test result.

Vergeire said that while instances of people lying to get vaccinated show that there is a high interest in the COVID-19 inoculation campaign, the prioritization list must still be followed.

“You don’t need to fake your documents, hindi niyo kailangan magsinungaling na may sakit kayo. Mabibigyan po kayo kasi karapatan niyo po ‘yan (You don’t need to lie about having a comorbidity. You will get a vaccine because that’s your right),” she said.

The Philippines has vaccinated over 4.6 million individuals as of June 8, still far from the government’s target of inoculating 58 million people in COVID-19 hotspots this year. — RSJ, GMA News