DOH to BARMM residents: COVID-19 vaccines are halal

MANILA, Philippines — COVID-19 vaccines are halal or permitted in the Islam faith, the Department of Health (DOH) has assured residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The DOH said these vaccines were certified by the Philippine Halal Certification Board and attested by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

DOH records show that the BARMM has the lowest vaccination rate in the country at 24.62 percent as of Feb. 16 followed by Soccsksargen, 53.69 percent, and Central Visayas, 56.93 percent.

Caraga, Eastern Visayas and Bicol recorded a 61 percent vaccination rate while Mimaropa logged 60.13 percent.

The DOH said there are many challenges facing the vaccination drive in the BARMM.

“We recognize the challenges and we continue to create strategies that will effectively respond to these challenges,” the agency said.

The National Vaccination Operations Center said vaccine hesitancy or vaccine preference, limited manpower, fake news dissemination, late submission of daily vaccination reports and lukewarm support from mayors and barangay leaders are the main problems.

To address these challenges, the government is proposing house-to-house vaccination.

The DOH said it is also eyeing an information caravan, dialogue with those who still refuse to be vaccinated, and provision of ayuda or assistance to those who have been vaccinated.