DOH Recommends Continuous Use of Face Masks for Vaccinated People

The Department of Health (DOH) still recommends the continuous use of face masks even for fully-vaccinated people.

DOH once again reiterated in a public press briefing that the vaccine does not mean immunity from the pandemic and that a fully-vaccinated person may still be infected.

“Hanggang sa ngayon, ang pinanghahawakan natin kumpletong ebidensiya ay ang isang bakunadong indibidwal can still be infected and can still infect others, (Up until now, the complete evidence we’re holding on to is that a fully-vaccinated individual can still be infected, and can still infect others,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the press briefing.

This brought the undersecretary to the health department’s stance regarding the use of face masks for fully-vaccinated persons.

“We retain our position–hindi kami magrerekomenda ng ganitong pagtanggal ng mask kung kayo ay bakunado na, (we retain our position–we will not recommend the removal of the use of the face mask if you’re already vaccinated),” Vergeire said.

This statement comes as the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an updated public health guidance released Thursday that fully vaccinated people in their country no longer need to wear a face masks, or maintain social distancing from others in most settings, whether outdoors or indoors. (GFB)