DOLE Says Employee Bringing Children to Vaccination Center Should Not Be Marked Absent

DOLE urged the employers to allow and excuse their employees who were bringing their children to vaccination centers.

The Department of Labor and Employment has announced that employees who accompany their children to vaccination centers should not be marked absent from work.

The Labor Department released an advisory encouraging employers to allow their employees to take time off from work to accompany their children for scheduled vaccinations. It includes situations where parents need to care for their children due to effects or reactions to the vaccine the day after vaccination.

“Employers are highly encouraged to allow their employees to be excused from work when they accompany their children on scheduled vaccinations, or when they must take care of their children with adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine on the day after the vaccination,” said DOLE.

The national immunization campaign comes in support of the government’s nationwide measles, rubella, and oral polio vaccine immunization activity, which will take place from April 1 to April 15, 2024.

DOLE emphasizes that employees only need to provide proof of their children’s vaccination upon their return to work. The agency also suggests that companies may allow workers to use their available leave credits during the immunization campaign period

This advisory applies to all private sector employees who have children aged 6 to 59 months old.

Furthermore, DOLE encourages companies to spread information about measles-rubella and polio vaccines through various platforms, both online and offline.

In a previous report, DOLE reminds employers to observe pay rules for April 9-10, 2024 (double pay)

Employers are also advised to coordinate with local government health departments to ensure that their employees’ children are included in the MR-OPV campaign.

The Labor Department suggests that employers consider setting up temporary vaccination stations within their premises and involve occupational health staff in the vaccination team.