Tamper-proof security seals will be affixed on the vaccination cards that will be given to the residents of Quezon City who already received their second doses.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said this aims to ensure that fake cards will not be mistaken for authentic ones.

Belmonte disclosed that the rollout of the tamper-proof vaccination cards started yesterday in six vaccination sites scheduled to administer second doses to about 4,000 individuals. She said this rollout will continue until the national government begins implementing its centralized vaccination certification system.

The authorized representative of Task Force Vax to Normal has countersigned the hologram seal.

“The security seal certifies that vaccination cards presented by their bearers as proof of having been fully vaccinated are authentic,” Belmonte said.

The possibility of fraud has increased as more incentives such as discounts and free products are being offered to fully vaccinated individuals. Some local government units (LGU) also required the vaccination cards for interzonal travel.

“Apart from a vaccination certificate for travel or work, which the Quezon City Health Department also issues, the tamper-proof security seal guarantees that vaccination cards presented for whatever purpose are genuine. Now that interzonal travel for fully-vaccinated individuals is being relaxed and more merchants are offering discounts to vaccinated individuals, our goal is to ensure that our QCitizens will have easier access to places and services,” Belmonte said.

QC Vax to Normal Co-Chair Joseph Juico, on the other hand, said the original purpose of the city-issued vaccination card was merely to provide the necessary information related to an individual’s vaccination, such as the date of the second dose, the vaccine brand administered and who administered it.

“However, given the delay in the rollout of vaccine passes or a centralized vaccination certification system by the national government, we are, in the interim, putting in place measures to make the vaccination cards more secure, especially for those requiring this for travel, work and other purposes,” Juico explained.

Belmonte also suggested that valid photo-bearing IDs of fully vaccinated persons be presented to restaurants, shops and malls along with the cards to ensure that these cards are not passed on to unvaccinated persons in attempts to claim incentives or for travel purposes.

The city government may also affix security seals to the cards of some 240,000 fully-vaccinated individuals who received their second doses before the rollout of the security seal should they need one.

A staggered system will be implemented to avoid crowds and violations of health protocols.

The first batch will be those who received their second doses in the month of April. They are requested to proceed to the Century Hall of the QC Memorial Circle from July 12-23. Priority will be given to those with pending domestic or international travel. Schedules will then be set for those fully-vaccinated in May and June.

Individuals who need to have a seal-bearing vaccination card must bring a valid ID. An authorized representative should also bring a valid ID of the bedridden or senior citizen family member.

Belmonte likewise urged business establishments to take note of the seal-bearing vaccination cards presented to them as valid proof of authenticity, especially when this is presented together with a QCitizen ID or any valid ID.

“We need to promote the safety of everyone by providing other LGUs, airlines and commercial establishments with evidence of a person’s vaccination status. As we strive to revive the economy, our fully-vaccinated QCitizens should be allowed to enjoy more perks for responding to our appeal for inoculation. Hopefully, when the vaccine supply stabilizes, everyone who wants one can get a jab,” she said.

The city government is also pushing for the immediate passage of an ordinance penalizing all vaccine-related fraud, to deter people from selling vaccines or vaccination slots, and falsifying vaccination cards.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cory Martinez