FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. NO. _-=3-=.1-.::7_ 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
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. 1 Of the said number, lO to 12 percent or 7 million are 
chronically infected, and 30 percent or 2, I million will develop liver ailments when they hit the 
age of 30 to 50.2, 
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 jg as high as 20 to 30 percent (20%-30%). Most Hepatitis B carriers are 
ignorant of their condition because syrriptoms 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 opportunity to prevent unrecognized perinatal transmission of the virus and has been 
recommended by the World Health Organization. 
Thus, this bill advocates the mandatory imml.mization of infants to include BeG vaccination 
against tuberculosis; inoculation agaiI;1st 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. 
~J~"t. 
TRIL:NES IV 
Senator 
I Perry Gil S. Mallari, "Beware ofHepa-B!" 
1,H1J2;!L'l'~\;',lllal1iMimes.llctinatiol1aI!2007/feQ!03/yel",yLllifaJIQ10203JifLbtml (accessed 12 March 2009). 
, Ibid 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. ---=3:......:.7......:.7_ 
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.!IlL -6 i'.:3 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION OF ALL INFANTS 
WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME AFTER BIRTH, AND OTHER 
VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mandatory Infant-Health 
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Immunization Act of 2010". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of PolicJi. -
In accordance with Section 15, Article II of the 
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Constitution, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to take a proactive role in the 
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preventive health care of infants. Towards this end, the State shall adopt a comprehensive, 
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mandatory and sustainable immunization program for hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable 
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diseases for all infants. 
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SEC. 3. Coverage. - Hepatitis-,B vaccine shall be administered by any duly licensed 
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physician, nurse or midwife to all infants born in hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers or 
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lying-in centers with obstetrical and pediatric services, whether public or private, within twenty-
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four (24) hours from complete delivery: Provided, however, That in cases of infants born in 
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places other than the above where the services of a physician or nurse is not immediately 
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available, any duly licensed physician, nurse or midwife who delivers, or assists in the delivery 
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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-
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preventable diseases: 
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(a) BeG vaccination against tuberculosis; 
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(b) Inoculation against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis; 
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(c) Oral poliomyelitis immunization; 
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(d) Protection against measles; 
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(e) Immunization against hepatitis-B; 
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(f) Immunization against rubella; 
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(g) H. Inft uenza type B (HIB); and 
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(h) Such other basic immunization services for infants as determined by the Secretary of Health 
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in a department circular: Provided, That children who were not vaccinated of any or all of the 
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above vaccine-preventable diseases have five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to get free 
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vaccination from any government hospital or health center: Provided, further, That, at the time 
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of vaccination, the child is below eight (8) years old. 
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SEC. 4. Follow-up Vaccination for Hepatitis-B. - The infant shall be given a second 
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shot of the hepatitis-B vaccine six (6) weeks after the first dose. Subsequently, a third dose shall 
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be administered to the infant fourteen (14) weeks after the first shot. 
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The second and third shots shall be given at the local health center or at any govenunent 
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hospital in the barangay, municipality or city where the infant resides: Provided, That the parents 
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or legal guardian of the infant shall have the option to take the child, at their own expense, to a 
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private hospital or medical clinic for purposes of follow-up vaccination. 
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SEC. 5. Vaccination Fees. - All expenses for newborn hepatitis-B immunization 
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administered in public health facilities shall be fully subsidized by the government. Those 
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administered in private health facilities shall be shouldered by the parents or legal guardian of 
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the newborn: Provided, That private facilities shall be encouraged to develop a scheme for 
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providing partial subsidy, depending on the financial status ofthe parents or legal guardian. 
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SEC. 6. Obligation to Inform. - Any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide or 
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traditional birth attendant who delivers or assists in the delivery of a newborn shall, prior to 
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delivery, inform the parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature and 
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benefits of hepatitis-B immunization at birth. For purposes of this section, the nongovernment 
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organizations shall formulate and prescribe guidelines on the notification and education relative 
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to the obligation to inform. The Department of Health (DOH), other government agencies, 
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nongovernment organizations, professional and academic societies and local government units 
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shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of distribution to 
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the public. 
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SEC. 7. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. - The DOH, with the 
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assistance of local government units, the academe, professional societies and nongovernment 
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organizations shall undertake a continuing information, education and training program for all 
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health personnel on the rationale, beJ;lefits and modern procedures for newborn hepatitis-B 
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immunization and other vaccine-preventable diseases. 
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SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in consultation with the 
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National Immunization Committee, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within 
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ninety (90) days after the approval ofthls Act. 
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SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The' amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
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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. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act shall 
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be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions hereof which are not affected 
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7846, entitled "An Act Requiring 
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Compulsory Immunization Against Hepatitis-B for Infants and Children Below Eight (8) Years 
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Old, Amending for the Purpose Presidential Decree No. 996, and Appropriating Funds 
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Therefor", and Republic Act No. 7392, entitled "An Act Revising Republic Act No. 2644, As 
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Amended, Otherwise Known as the Philippine Midwifery Act", are hereby amended 
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accordingly. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or any part thereof 
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inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the date of its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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