DICT adds security features in vax certificate

MANILA, Philippines — The VaxCertPH information technology system set up by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the issuance of vaccination certificates has been updated with added security features and information on booster shots received.

Acting ICT Secretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic gave assurance that the system upgrade complies with World Health Organization certificate issuance standards.

“We added security features to prepare for (compatibility) with the 39 countries that use it, we had to add (the features) in accordance with the standards,” Caintic explained in a mix of English and Filipino during the virtual Laging Handa press briefing yesterday.

“The most important update is the addition of the booster shot, the third shot of a person,” he added.

Caintic said that for those who have already secured a Vaxcert.ph certificate previously, they can simply log onto the Vaxcert.doh.gov.ph and fill in their names and dates of vaccination and they can get their certificates with the information on booster shot.

If one faces difficulty in getting the certificates, Caintic said they could get assistance from Vaxcert.ph booths in their local government units (LGUs).

He added that the DICT continues to work with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and LGUs in uploading their vaccination database for the smooth operation of the VaxCertPH database and certificate system.

Falling short

Despite extending the “Bayanihan Bakunahan 3,” the government may not be able to achieve its target of inoculating five million people, according to Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

Speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing, Cabotaje reported only 2.6 million people were inoculated since the start of Bakunahan 3, which ends today.

“We need to speed up more. We may not reach the five million target. People are seeing the importance but the sense of urgency is lacking. They don’t see the need of having boosters immediately,” she pointed out in Filipino. – Mayen Jaymalin