Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _3143

Introduced by REP. NATHANIEL “Atty. Nat” M. ODUCADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Ensuring the health and well-being of infants and young children is a key objective of
the country’s public health initiatives. With the ongoing threat of vaccine-preventable diseases,
early immunization has become a vital part in reducing child mortality and preventing the
spread of infectious illnesses. To support this goal, a nationwide program was established to
provide essential vaccines during early childhood. This effort is reinforced by the enactment of
the “Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011,” or Republic Act No.
10152.

This Act aims to ensure the protection of newborns and children against vaccine-
preventable diseases by mandating the administration of immunizations for tuberculosis;
diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; poliomyelitis; measles; mumps; rubella (German measles);
hepatitis B; and Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), with particular emphasis on the time
vaccination of infants exposed to or at risk of hepatitis B infection.

Vaccines save lives. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States of
‘America in its webpage places the number of deaths prevented by childhood immunization
every year at about 4 million worldwide. In the Philippines, the results of the 2003, 2008, 2013
and 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey as published by the Philippine Statistics
‘Authority (PSA) revealed an upward trend on the percentage of children aged 12 to 23 months
WHO DID NOT RECEIVE any kind of vaccination as follows:

Year Estimated number of
children without
__ _ vaccinations —_|
95,000
2008 100,000
2013 51,000
2017 122,000

In 2024, the data gathered shows that only 64.85% of the infants under one year old
were fully vaccinated — far under the DOH’s goal of 95% coverage. Moreover, United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/ (Department of Health (DOH) reports showed that 61% took the
full immunization which is short from the DOH’s goal. In fact, RA No. 11148 mentions that
pregnant women, newborn and infants 6 months old are included in immunization. However, it
does not specify how often these vaccines are to be taken.


‘The Dengvaxia controversy has indeed impeded the government’s vaccination program
due to the decline in public confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness. As a matter of fact,
3 out of 10 caregivers are hesitant to administer vaccines because of fear and misinformation.
In addition, there was a significant drop in vaccine confidence from over 80% to just above
20% in effectiveness safety/effectiveness perceptions. That is why mandatory immunization
backed by education and communication strategies is needed to rebuild the public’s confidence
in vaccines.

This bill amends the mandatory immunization act by proposing the creation of the
National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). It shall be composed of
representatives from major national health institutions and professional societies. This
amendment seeks to place necessary safeguards on the authority of the Secretary of Health in
identifying additional vaccine-preventable diseases by requiring prior recommendation from
the NITAG. To assuage public concerns, the NITAG is enjoined to be transparent, accountable
and adhere to evidence-based decision-making in their recommendations and communications.

Considering the foregoing circumstances, the immediate enactment of this measure is
earnestly sought.

ble at
https//library judiciary. gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/37483 (last accessed July 31, 2025)

® Supreme Court E-Library (2011) Republic Act no. 10152. Av:

2 Phi Statistics Authority (2017) 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey Key Indicators: Child
Health and Mortality. Available at https://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/content/2017-national-demographic-and-health-
survey-key-indicators-child-health-and-mortality (last accessed August 1, 2025)

> Philippine Statistics Authority (2017) Vaccination Coverage of Filipino Children. Available at
https://psa.gov.plsites/default/files/nfographics/V ACCINATION_COVERAGE_1.pdf (last accessed August 1,
2025)

"National Library of Medicine (2018) Dengvaxia controversy: impact on vaccine hesitancy. Available at
https://pme.ncbi.nIm.nih. gov/articles/PMC6214489/ (last accessed August 1, 2025)



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3143

Introduced by REP. NATHANIEL “ATTY. NAT” M. ODUCADO

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10152,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MANDATORY INFANTS AND CHILDREN
HEALTH IMMUNIZATION ACT OF 2011”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10152, otherwise known as the
“Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011” is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 3. Coverage ~ The mandatory immunization provided under this Act shall cover the
following vaccine-preventable diseases:

(a) Tuberculosis;

(b) Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis;

(©) Poliomyelitis;

(d) Measles;

(e) Mumps;

(f) Rubella or German measles:

(g) Hapatitis-B;

(h) H.lnfluenza type B (HIB)

(i) Rotavirus;

(i) Japanese encephalitis;

(k) Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV);

()) Human papilloma virus (HPV)

(m) Booster for Measles, Rubella, Tetanus, Diphtheria (MRTD); and

(n) SUCH OTHER TYPES AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF
HEALTH UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NATIONAL
IMMUNIZATION TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY GROUP (NITAG)
ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THIS ACT.



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‘The mandatory basic immunization shall be given for free at any government hospital or
health center to infants and children up to five (5) years of age.

XXX
SEC. 2. A new Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10152 is hereby inserted to read as follows:

SEC. 4. CREATION OF THE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION TECHNICAL AND
ADVISORY GROUP. ~ A NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY
GROUP (NITAG) SHALL BE CREATED TO SERVE AS A TECHNICAL AND
INDEPENDENT MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ADVISORY BODY TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-
BASED POLICY AND PROGRAM DECISIONS ON IMMUNIZATION AND VACCINES TO
THE DOH. THE NITAG SHALL BE COMPOSED OF EXPERTS FROM THE FIELDS OF
PEDIATRICS, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, EPIDEMIOLOGY, PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTH
ECONOMY AND FROM AFFILIATE AGENCIES SUCH AS THE FORMULARY
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, PHILIPPINE NURSES.
ASSOCIATION, PHILIPPINE PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, INC., AND THE NATIONAL,
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

THE NITAG SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS:

a.) TO ADVISE THE DOH IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES, PLAN AND
STRATEGIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (HE EXISTING AND
NEW VACCINES, AND THE VACCINE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY;

b.) TO CONDUCT POLICY ANALYSIS, REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM DATA AND
EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNICAL ADVICE
AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE.
AND SUSTAINABLE IMMUNIZATION POLICIES, GUIDELINES,
STRATEGIES, AND APPROACHES RELATED TO IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM.
AND VACCINE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY; AND.

¢.) TO REVIEW THE POSITION PAPERS, STUDIES, INTERNATIONAL
GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM INTERNATIONALLY
ACKNOWLEDGED RESOURCES FOR POSSIBLE ADOPTION IN THE
COUNTRY POLICIES AND PLANS FOR NITAG.

SEC-44) 5. Education and Information Campaign - All health care practitioners or health
care workers who are administering prenatal care shall educate all pregnant mothers on the

2

' Supreme Court E-Library (2011) Republic Act no. 10152. Available at
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelfishowdocs/2/37483 (last accessed July 31, 2025)

2 Philippine Statistics Authority (2017) 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey Key Indicators: Child
Health and Mortality. Available at https://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/content/2017-national-demographic-and-health-
survey-key-indicators-child-health-and-mortaity (last accessed August 1, 2025)

+ Philippine Statistics Authority (2017) Vaccination Coverage of Filipino Children. Available at
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/infographics/VACCINATION_COVERAGE. | pdf (last accessed August I,
2025)

"National Library of Medicine (2018) Dengvaxia controversy: impact on vaccine hesitancy. Available at
https://pme.nebi.nlm.nih. gov/articles/PMC6214489/ (last accessed August 1, 2025)



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importances of immunization through vaccination in safeguarding infant health and well-
being as well as on the possible effects of immunization.

The DOH, other government agencies, non- government organizations (NGOs),
professional and academic societies, and local government units (LGUs) shall make
available appropriate information materials and shall institute an efficient public
information dissemination system to increase awareness on the importance of
immunization as a disease prevention strategy.

SEC. (§}6. Obligation to Inform. — Any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or skilled
birth attendant, who delivers or assists in the delivery of a newborn shall, prior to delivery,
inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature and benefits of
immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth.

SEC.(6) 7 . Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. ~The DOH shall,
with the assistance of the LGUs, academe, professional societies and NGOs, undertake
continuing information, education and training programs for all health personnel on the
rationale and benefits of, as well as modern procedures for immunization of infants and
children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

SEC.€8) 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations for expanded program on
immunization of the DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The DOH shall, in consultation with the
National Immunization Committee, issue the implementing rules and regulations within
ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any part of the 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. 12. Repealing Clause. ~ Republic Act No. 10152, otherwise known as the
“mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011” is hereby repealed.
All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,