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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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9 
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SENATE 
Introduced bv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F. Trillanes N 
Explanatory Note 
In 2007, the Department of Health reported that 70 percent or 58 million Filipinos had already 
been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus.’ Of the said number, 10 to 12 percent or 7 million are 
chronically infected, and 30 percent or 2.1 million will develop liver ailments when they hit the 
age of 30 to 50.’ 
It is further established that Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted not only through contaminated 
blood or blood products, but also from an infected pregnant mother to her newborn, the 
probability of the latter in as high as 20 to 30 percent (20%-30%). Most Hepatitis B carriers are 
ignorant of their condition because symptoms are not manifest. Accordingly, the early prevention 
of the disease is still the best protection that may be given a child. Studies have shown that a 
routine Hepatitis B vaccination of all newborn, immediately within twelve (12) hours from birth, 
is the best opporhmity to prevent unrecognized perinatal transmission of the virus and has been 
recommended by the World Health Organization. 
Thus, this bill advocates the mandatory immunization of infants to include BCG vaccination 
against tuberculosis; inoculation against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis; oral poliomyelitis 
immunization; protection against measles; immunization against hepatitis-B; immunization 
against rubella; H. Influenza type B (HIB); and such other basic immunization services for 
infants as determined by the Secretary of Health. Vaccination, when administered early in life 
has a high percentage rate of success. As in any other disease, prevention and early detection are 
the keys to saving lives. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. e = =
A TO 0 “SONN ’ F. TRILLANES lV 
Senator 
’ Periy Gil S. Mallari, “Beware of Hepa-B!” 
litt~!www.manilatiines net/nationa1/2007/feb/O3/~~ehev/life!ZO~7020~lifl 
.html (accessed 12 March 2009). 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
'3 
M Y  -6 
hX2 2 3  
SENATE 
Introduced bv Senator Antonio "Sonnv" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
WITaW A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME AFTER BIRTH, AND OTHER 
VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES 
PROVJDING FOR MANDATORY HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION OF ALL INFANTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
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Immunization Act of 2008. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mandatory Infant-Health 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In accordance with Section 15, Article I1 of the 
Constitution, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the 
preventive health care of infants. Towards this end, the State shall adopt a comprehensive, 
mandatory and sustainable immunization program for hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable 
diseases for all infants. 
SEC. 3. Coverage. - Hepatitis-B vaccine shall be administered by any duly licensed 
physician, nurse or midwife to all infants born in hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers or 
lying-in centers with obstetrical and pediatric services, whether public or private, within twenty- 
four (24) hours from complete delivery: Provided, however, That in cases of infants born in 
places other than the above where the services of a physician or nurse is not immediately 
available, any duly licensed physician, nurse or midwife who delivers, or assists in the delivery 
of, the newborn shall be responsible for administering the vaccine to the latter. 
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The mandatory immunization under this Act shall cover the following vaccine- 
preventable diseases: 
(a) BCG vaccination against tuberculosis; 
(b) Inoculation against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis; 
(c) Oral poliomyelitis immunization; 
(d) Protection against measles; 
(e) Immunization against hepatitis-B; 
(0 Immunization against rubella; 
(g) H. Influenza type B (HIB); and 
(h) Such other basic immunization services for infants as determined by the Secretary of Health 
in a department circular: Provided, That children who were not vaccinated of any or all of the 
above vaccine-preventable diseases have five ( 5 )  years from the effectivity of this Act to get free 
vaccination from any government hospital or health center: Provided, further, That, at the time 
of vaccination, the child is below eight (8) years old. 
SEC. 4. Follow-up Vaccination for Hepatitis-B. - The infant shall be given a second 
shot of the hepatitis-B vaccine six (6) weeks after the first dose. Subsequently, a third dose shall 
be administered to the infant fourteen (14) weeks after the first shot. 
The second and third shots shall be given at the local health center or at any government 
hospital in the barangay, municipality or city where the infant resides: Provided, That the parents 
or legal guardian of the infant shall have the option to take the child, at their own expense, to a 
private hospital or medical clinic for purposes of follow-up vaccination. 
SEC. 5. Vuccireation Fees. - All expenses for newborn hepatitis-B immunization 
administered in public health facilities shall be fully subsidized by the government. Those 
administered in private health facilities shall be shouldered by the parents or legal guardian of 
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the newborn: Provided, That private fxilities shall be encouraged to develop a scheme for 
providing partial subsidy, depending on the finaxial status of the parents or legal guardian. 
SEC. 6. Obligation to Znfom - Any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or 
traditional birth attendant who delivers or assists in the delivery of a newborn shall, prior to 
delivery, inform the parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature and 
benefits of hepatitis-B immunization at birth. For purposes of this section, the nongovernment 
organizations shall formulate and prescribe guidelines on the notification and education relative 
to the obligation to inform. The Department of Health (DOH), other government agencies, 
nongovernment organizations, professional and academic societies and local government units 
shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of distribution to 
the public. 
SEC. 7. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. - The DOH, with the 
assistance of local government units, the academe, professional societies and nongovernment 
organizations shall undertake a continuing information, education and training program for all 
health personnel on the rationale, benefits and modern procedures for newborn hepatitis-B 
immunization and other vaccine-preventable diseases. 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in consultation with the 
National Immunization Committee, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within 
ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be taken from the budget of the DOH and shall be immediately included in the following 
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year’s annual General Appropriations Act, and thereafter. 
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SEC. 10. SeparabiligJ Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act shall 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7846, entitled “An Act Requiring 
Compulsory Immunization Against Hepatitis-B for Infants and Children Below Eight (8) Years 
Old, Amending for the Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, and Appropriating Funds 
Therefor”, and Republic Act No. 7392, entitled “An Act Revising Republic Act No. 2644, As 
Amended, Otherwise Known as the Philippine Midwifery Act”, are hereby amended 
accordingly. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or any part thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. EffeclivigJ. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the date of its 
publication in the OfJicial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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