The Ministry of Health Today I announce that next school year will require a vaccine against COVID-19 For students of working age.

According to the doctor Miguel Valencia, which directs the monitoring system in the Ministry of Health, compulsory vaccination will be one of the elements that will be implemented by the government with the aim that all children have the possibility to receive education face to face, so the administrative order applies to all school staff, as well as eligible students.

For now, only the vaccine اللقاح Pfizer It has been authorized for emergency use by minors up to age 12, although federal authorities are expected to extend permission for use to younger children sometime in the fall.

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Minister of Health Carlos MeladoHe explained that the compulsory vaccination guide will also apply to state universities. Likewise, the measures will also apply to educational institutions in the private sector, in schools and higher levels.

According to an administrative order issued by the Secretary today, every student, to enter the campus on the first day of classes, must provide evidence that he or she has received at least the first dose of the vaccine. If you only receive one dose, you will have to comply with administering the second dose within 30 days after the start of the school year.

The administrative order states that “it will be the responsibility of the student and their parents or guardians to provide a certificate of vaccination or a document certifying that they have completed the Covid-19 vaccination process in order to be admitted to the school.”

today is deprivation of education He will announce the protocols that will organize the face-to-face classes in the new academic year.

At the press conference held this afternoon, the Minister of Health explained that nearly 120,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 19 in Puerto Rico have not started the course of vaccination, highlighting the need to focus efforts on this population.

In this sense, Milado explained that, jointly with various organizations, the Ministry of Health will organize a series of events called “VacuTour back to school’, specifically targeting students, details of which will be announced later.

Among the organizations that will support the Agency in vaccination events will be College of PhysiciansAnd the voices, The Puerto Rican Pediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics, whose representatives were present at the press conference.

Melado noted that regarding admission to educational institutions, the Ministry of Health will accept an exception to the vaccination requirement, health conditions or religious reasons, as long as it is approved by a doctor or the vaccination “contradicts the tenets of religion” and this is evidenced by an affidavit, Straight.

Victor Ramos, President College of Physicians, he saw with good eyes the directives of the Ministry of Health, and indicated that the Secretary had the authority to be more restrictive and to revoke the exemptions from vaccination which he had kept in the Administrative Order.

Law No. 25 (of 1983) provides for the Secretary to revoke exceptions. We give people the opportunity to do the right thing, which is to vaccinate and take responsibility. I do not like that those who are not vaccinated are punished, but those responsible are rewarded. The pediatrician said you take responsibility if you don’t want to be vaccinated.

Appeal “Strategies”

When asked why he chose to keep the exceptions and the reasons for not extending the vaccination requirement to the entire working population, Melado said that the Ministry of Health continues to adjust its “strategies” to achieve greater coverage, as well as legal implications to be made mandatory.

What we want is to continue promoting (vaccinating). If it doesn’t show results next week, I’ll change it. No problem, that’s an order. What we want is to be consistent with the Ministry of Health saying “we will vaccinate you”. The moment this stagnates, we will be more restricted and not just with this, with the rest of the population. Here everyone must be vaccinated, those who have been vaccinated cannot continue to use the mask, according to the restrictions. Moreover, it is not fair that our children do not go to school. This is changing and every day the Ministry of Health is looking for a new strategy to change it,” Melado asserted.

The Administrative Order signed by Melado makes it clear that “the measures for the prevention, containment and mitigation of Covid-19 set forth in this Administrative Order apply to parents or guardians over 12 years of age or older, as well as to employers and educational entities in the public and private sectors.”

The secretary explained that this clause refers to the possibility of the student’s guardians entering the university campus, so that in the event that the minor’s father, mother or guardian does not receive the request, the student can enter the school if she is vaccinated.

For its part, Valencia specified that the protocol developed between health and education is based on 10 points, such as the use of mandatory masks, vaccination and performance of diagnostic tests for Covid-19, which will be determined based on regional indicators of infection.

The doctor indicated that schools will be flexible with the requirement of physical distancing, noting that students inside classrooms may sit less than three feet if necessary so that everyone can receive education face to face. Outside the classroom, at least six feet of distance will be “supervised” and students will be encouraged to take their lunch outside the dining room, to avoid crowding.

He also indicated that it is conceivable to allow air conditioners to run in classrooms, as long as a window or door is left open to allow air circulation.

Valencia argued that the potential closure of the campus, if infection is detected, will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, so actions based on general indications will not be implemented as in the last semester.

As of today, the rate of positivity on molecular tests in Puerto Rico is 5.7%, and the single case rate is 5%. A month ago, both indicators were around 1%. Meanwhile, according to Portal Covid-19 monitoring, 65.9% of the total population received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 57.3% completed the procedure.