(SunStar) THE Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office clarified on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, that students who will take part in the upcoming resumption of face-to-face classes are not required to get Covid-19 primary series vaccines nor booster shots.

DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa made the pronouncement following the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his weekend vlog for students to get vaccinated to ensure their protection amid the conduct of in-person classes.

“Of course we are one with the President in encouraging everyone to get either vaccinated or get their booster shots if they haven’t received their booster,” he said in a mix of Tagalog and English in a press conference.

“However, as we all know, the government’s vaccination program is not mandatory in nature. It is still voluntary,” he added.