The Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol will help disseminate information on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination program as part of its commitment to support the government’s fight against the dreaded virus.

Mayflor Jumamil, DepEd-Bicol spokesperson, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that information education campaign (IEC) materials shared by the Department of Health (DOH) would be shared by their office to the communities and stakeholders.

“Teachers will also incorporate about vaccination in their lessons, they can also discuss it during sessions. Infographics and other materials by DOH-Bicol are also shared on our official social media page,” she said.

Jumamil said the Education department wants to help health authorities allay fears of the people regarding vaccines.

She added that school facilities and classrooms may be allowed by local government units (LGUs) to be used as vaccination centers, subject to compliance with the applicable DepEd issuances and in proper coordination with local health units.

Asked if any school in Bicol would be used as vaccinations center, Jumamil said, “As of now wala pa po, di pa namin alam if may mga request ang mga LGUs sa mga SDO (schools division office) (As of now, there is none, we don’t know yet if there are requests from LGUs to our SDOs).”

Gilbert Sadsad, regional director of DepEd-Bicol, in a statement, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the vaccination program but with strict compliance with health protocols and policies of the department.

In an Executive Committee with Secretary Leonor M. Briones on March 10, it was clarified that DepEd’s position on the use of school facilities as vaccination center remain and not all DepEd facilities can comply with the DOH and IATF requirements for a vaccination center. Thus, the opinion and assessment of DOH must first be sought on the suitability of an education facility as a vaccination center.

In cases where there are already other health-related projects in a school, a vaccination center need not be put up anymore because of the risks involved, the statement added.

“DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones has already stated early on that teachers or DepEd personnel will not be allowed to administer the vaccine because of lack of proper training but can help and contribute in the information campaign about the program,” the statement said. (PNA)