DOH scraps vital signs screening before COVID-19 vaccines

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assured the public on Saturday that safety is not compromised by the DOH's decision to remove vital signs screening before COVID-19 vaccination.

The DOH made this change on Friday, May 14, to avoid long queues and cut waiting times at vaccination sites.

Vergeire said the new guidelines were based on recommendations from the Philippine Society of Hypertension and the Philippine Heart Association, who advised that vital signs screening is unnecessary before vaccination for most individuals.

However, those with established hypertension or organ damage will still be closely monitored prior to receiving the vaccine.