AFP makes COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for personnel

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has made COVID-19 inoculation mandatory for all its 150,000 personnel and their dependents.

AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo clarified that while vaccination is a duty, soldiers can choose their preferred vaccine brand at their own expense, provided it's not from the government-allocated Sinovac doses.

The AFP will subsidize vaccinations sourced from the national stockpile, and 100,000 doses from the first batch of 600,000 Sinovac vaccines are allocated for the military.

Soldiers who refuse the Sinovac vaccine will have to pay for their own alternative vaccines, although commercial options are not yet available.

Refusal to be vaccinated may lead to sanctions under military rules, specifically Article of War 105.

The mandatory vaccination policy aims to prevent AFP personnel from worsening the COVID-19 situation while performing their duties.