THE COMMISSION on Higher Education is considering implementing mandatory vaccination against Covid19 for college students as more degree programs are allowed to conduct limited face-to-face classes.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said that mandatory vaccination can “put additional layer of protection” for everyone in the academic community.

“We’ll discuss whether we will require vaccination for face-to-face classes. Pero sa ngayon, even in the second batch, hindi siya required,” De Vera III said.

“Pero sa CHED, hindi siya necessary na i-require if we are successful in pushing for vaccination of students and faculty. As long as the vaccination level is high, students are safe,” he added.

Even if Covid19 immunization is not mandatory, De Vera noted that vaccination turnout among those allowed to attend physical classes is “relatively high.”

Almost 73 percent of education frontliners and students in 1,488 higher education institutions have been vaccinated against Covid19.

The CHED chief also pointed out that Covid19 infection in areas where in-person classes will be held is “very low.”

So far, the commission has received only 0.3 percent report of Covid19 infection among students and 1.4 percent among faculty members since the start of physical classes.

More schools have requested to be allowed to conduct in-person classes since President Rodrigo Duterte approved limited face-to-face classes for other courses such as Engineering and Technology, Hospitality/Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism/Travel Management, Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation.

So far, at least 181 higher education institutions offering health and allied programs nationwide have been authorized by CHED and the Department of Health to conduct in-person classes.