THE NATIONAL Task Force against Covid19 is considering tapping medical students in the vaccination drive of the government.

Vince Dizon, NTF deputy chief implementer, said the plan will be discussed with the Commission on Higher Education.

“Meron tayong meeting sa mga susunod na araw kay CHED chairman Prospero de Vera para mapag-usapan kung puwede nating i-deploy ang ating mga medical students para mag-serve as vaccinators lalo na sa mga areas na nagsu-surge,” Dizon said.

These areas are the National Capital Region, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Region-4 A.

“Hindi po madali ang sitwasyon ngayon, lalo na sa mga healthcare personnel natin,” he said.

Madelene Grace Sosa, president of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, Inc., also requested medical school deans and directors “to encourage and motivate” students to help in vaccinating Filipinos.

Sosa said postgraduates interns with authority from CHED and permission from the hospital directors will be allowed to join the vaccination program.

Meanwhile, only undergraduate interns from the University of the Philippines Manila, UP Manila School of Health Sciences in Leyte, St. Luke’s College of Medicine, Ateneo de Manila University and, Ateneo de Zamboanga University will be permitted.

Volunteer clinical clerks and other undergraduate students, on the other hand, will undergo orientation and training and will be under the supervision of a licensed physician.

“They may join the program in various roles like actual vaccinator, care of patients before and after vaccination, processing of clinical records,” Sosa said.

“The medical school deans and the directors of training hospitals may coordinate with DOH Regional Vaccine Operations Center or the Regional Director of the DOH Center for Health Development,” she added.