Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AND CRIMINALIZING VACCINE HOARDING AND 
UNAUTHORIZED VACCINATION IN TIMES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCIES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has surfaced the need for better 
plans and preparations during public health emergencies. Amidst this 
public health crisis, vaccination remains the most effective way in 
controlling the pandemic. 
The rollout of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which 
officially began on March 1, 2021, continues to face concerns due to the 
limited supply of the vaccines and some reports of unauthorized 
vaccinations. 
Under Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11525 otherwise known as the 
“COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021”, the falsification of a vaccine 
card shall be punishable under Act No. 3185, as amended, otherwise known 
as “The Revised Penal Code”. However, the falsification of vaccination cards 
is but one of the many issues that challenge the proper delivery of health 
services during this pandemic. Vaccine hoarding and unauthorized 
vaccinations have jeopardized the proper delivery of public health services 
and the welfare of every Filipino who has been deprived of the opportunity to 
be protected from the corona virus.  
In response to recent reports of vaccine hoarding and unauthorized 
inoculation of vaccines in the National Capital Region, often through 
individuals lying about getting fully-vaccinated in hopes of receiving third 
shots as booster shots, the Metro Manila Council (MMC,) consisting of all 17 
mayors of Metro Manila, unanimously approved Resolution No. 21-18, 
August 30, 2021
3:40 pm
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which called for penalties against individuals who would be found 
responsible for unauthorized inoculations. 
Vaccine hoarding and the unauthorized vaccination in times of public 
health emergencies are selfish and detrimental to the collective recovery and 
protection of the Filipino people. These acts are inimical to the public health 
system and the overall welfare of the public, thus, must be penalized. 
This bill seeks to define and criminalize the act of vaccine hoarding, 
unauthorized vaccination, and over-vaccination in times of public health 
emergencies. To prohibit these unacceptable acts, this measure proposes to 
provide a penalty of imprisonment for fifteen (15) days to sixty (60) days and 
a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) to Five Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00). 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AND CRIMINALIZING VACCINE HOARDING AND 
UNAUTHORIZED VACCINATION IN TIMES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCIES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Vaccine 
Hoarding Act.” 
SECTION 2.Declaration of Policy.–The State shall endeavor to efficiently 
and immediately address all potential and actual public health emergencies 
for the promotion of the general welfare of the people. 
While considering national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest 
and the right to self-determination, in its relations with other states, the 
State shall, at all times, give paramount importance to the health of its 
citizens whether in the country or overseas. Towards this end, the State 
shall ensure that science and evidence-based plans and preparations shall 
be observed and that guidelines especially on vaccination programs shall be 
strictly implemented and complied with. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(a) Immunization refers to the process by which a person becomes
protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often
used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
(b) Pandemic refers to an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over every
wide area, crossing international boundaries, affecting a large number
of people;
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(c) Public Health Emergency refers to an occurrence or imminent threat 
of an illness or health condition as specifically defined under Section 
3(l) of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise as the “Law on Reporting of 
Communicable Diseases”;  
 
(d) Vaccine refers to a product that stimulates a person’s immune system 
to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from 
that disease. Vaccines are usually administered through needle 
injections, but can also be administered by mouth or sprayed into the 
nose. 
 
(e) Vaccination refers to the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to 
produce immunity to a specific disease. 
 
 
SECTION 4.Prohibited Acts.–The following acts are prohibited:  
 
(a) Vaccine hoarding– The undue accumulation by a person or 
combination of persons of vaccines beyond their normal inventory 
levels as determined by the Department of Health; or the 
unreasonable limitation of distribution or refusal to dispose of, the 
stocks of vaccines to the general public; or the unjustified withdrawal 
of vaccines from the channels of production, trade, commerce and 
industry; or any other analogous acts as provided by Republic Act No. 
7581, otherwise known as the Price Act, that are inimical to the 
interests of the people during public health emergencies. 
 
(b) Unauthorized vaccination – The administration of a vaccine by 
persons who are not authorized under the guidelines set by the 
Department of Health (DOH) and other rules and regulations relevant 
to the implementation of vaccination programs during public health 
emergencies. 
 
(c) Over-vaccination – Receiving vaccination by any person or group of 
persons beyond the approved vaccine dosage set by the DOH and 
other rules and regulations relevant to the implementation of 
vaccination programs during public health emergencies. 
 
SECTION 5.Penalties. – The following penalties shall be imposed upon 
those who have violated this Act: 
 
(a) Any person or entity who shall violate Section 4 of this Act shall be 
punished by imprisonment of fifteen (15) days to sixty (60) days or a 
fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) to Five 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00), at the discretion of the 
court; Provided, That if the offender is a public official and the offender 
has taken advantage of his public position, the maximum penalty 
shall be imposed; 


 
(b) If the offender is a corporation, association, partnership or any other 
juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, 
directors, managers, managing partners, as the case may be, who 
participated in the commission of the offense or who shall have 
knowingly permitted or failed to prevent the commission of the same. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing guidelines, Rules, and Regulations. – Within 
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and other stakeholders shall approve and issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts are provisions not 
affected so continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8.Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, and 
administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this 
act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity.– This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
following its publication in the online version of the  Official Gazette or in 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation or with established Internet 
website presence. 
 
Approved,