FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 516 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Decades ago, infectious diseases were the main cause of mortality, even 
in the most developed countries. Now mass immunization programs have made 
a remarkable impact on preventive medicine ali over the world. These programs 
have had a significant impact on the reduction of mortality and in diphtheria and 
tetanus cases in most of the industrialized world. 
In the Philippines, the government has promoted immunizations and 
vitamin A supplementation since the early 1990s. At one time, nearly 90 percent 
of children aged six and younger were covered. In spite of this success, the lives 
of thousands of the most impoverished children in the country remain threatened 
by diseases that can easily be prevented. The gap is growing between these 
imperiled young children and those living in the industrialized world who have 
life-saving vaccines readily available. The World Health Organization estimates 
that every year, vaccination saves the lives of three million children throughout 
the world, yet another two million children die because they do not have access 
to existing vaccines. 
This bill proposes to establish a comprehensive vaccination program that 
will provide free vaccination services to infants and children, through government 
hospitals, satellite offices, accredited government clinics and other medical 
institutions. The program shall be administered by the Department of Health. 
Immunization goes beyond simply protecting the individual, important. It also 
aims to improve the health of entire communities by limiting the spread of 
infectious disease among children and adults. Upon these considerations, the 
prompt passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 516 
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, INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION 
PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS AND CHILDREN, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Wee Vaccination and 
Immunization Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The right to health is a fundamental 
guarantee enshrined in the Constitution. It is the policy of the State to instill 
health consciousness among the people and to protect and promote their right to 
accessible and quality health services. 
Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have 
become expensive and barely accessible for poor families, it is hereby likewise 
declared the policy of the State that a comprehensive vaccination and 
immunization program be made available to the public for free and its 
administration adopted as a program of sOQial justice. 
SEC. 3. Components. -
The Department of Health, through all 
government hospitals, its satellite offices, accredited government clinics and 
other medical institutions, shall provide for free to infants and children vaccination 
and immunization services for the following diseases: 
a, Hepatitis B; 
b. DPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough); 
c. Influenza type B; 
d. Polio (Salk injected); 
e. Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis) 
f. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles); 
g. Varicella (chicken pox) 
Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of religious 
belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical reasons and 
which is' certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other valid reason 
that may be advanced by the parents of the infant or child, as necessary. 
Provided, further, that a certain day of the week must be devoted for 
immunization and vaccination in all local govemment unit health centers. 


SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Health, in consultation with the national association of pediatrics and recognized 
experts from the private sector, and non-governmental organizations and 
peoples' organizations and academe on child health and care, shall issue the 
relevant rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Fund. - The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) 
annually to implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free 
immunization and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in 
the budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act. One 
percent (1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and controlled 
corporations shall be collected and form part of the fund that may be used for this 
purpose. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -
All executive issuances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,