THE DEPARTMENT of Health on Tuesday said it strongly supports full face-to-face classes in all higher education institutions in the country.

The department also backed the decision of the Commission on Higher Education to allow unvaccinated college students and faculty members to join in-person classes.

“DOH and health experts also presented Philippine data showing less infections in the 18-25 age group compared to other age groups, further to international data showing that Omicron and its sub-variants thus far have lower fatality or severity of disease,” it said in a statement.

About 77 percent of students and 90 percent of HEI personnel are fully vaccinated against Covid19, the latest figures from CHED shows.

On Monday, CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said that all college students and personnel, regardless of their vaccination status, are allowed to join F2F classes.

De Vera explained that among the considerations for updating their guidelines for in-person classes included the “high” vaccination coverage in HEIs, the low-risk classification for Covid19 in the country and the decreasing Covid19 infections for all age groups.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, meanwhile, said the country’s Covid19 response was “dynamic and follows the latest scientific recommendations available”

“The benefits of in-person and face-to-face schooling now outweigh the risk of Covid19 infections. Face-to-face classes boost academic performance, improve on mental health and well-being, and help develop social engagement skills,” Vergeire said.

“Furthermore, many of our bright yet disadvantaged students find it difficult to spend on devices and internet access. Even as proof of vaccination is no longer needed, vaccination and boosters for all eligible individuals is still strongly recommended. Let us keep the wall of immunity strong,” she added.