SHOWING support to the government’s Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) next month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has asked employers to allow their employees to bring their kids to the designated vaccination sites.
In its Labor Advisory No. 09-2023, DOLE said private establishments are encouraged to show support to their employees with kids aged 0 to 59 months old to get their measles, rubella, and polio shots.
“Employers are highly encouraged to allow their employees to be excused from work when they accompany their children on scheduled vaccination, or when they must take care of their children with adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine on the day after the vaccination,” said DOLE.
“They may likewise be allowed to utilize their available leave credits during the MR-OPV SIA subject to company policy or collective bargaining agreement granting the same,” it added.
The DOLE said the concerned employees are only required to present proof of their kids’ vaccination upon their return to work.
The labor department also said employers are encouraged to provide information on measles-rubella and polio vaccines through online and offline platforms, such as seminars, information, and education materials.
DOLE said employers are advised to coordinate with the health department of the local government units on the scheduled immunization activities to ensure the availment of qualified employees’ children in MR-OPV shots.
DOLE said employers with institutionalized immunization programs are highly encouraged to conduct MR-OPV SIA in their respective establishments as part of their occupational safety and health program or family welfare program.
For the whole month of May, the Department of Health (DOH) is set to hold simultaneous immunization drives against measles, rubella, and polio nationwide.
A total of 11,108,115 kids aged 0-59 months are being eyed for oral polio vaccination (OPV), with about 9,509,585 kids 9-59 months also targeted for measles-rubella (MR) vaccines.
