EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1942
RECEIVED
December 09
DATE
TIME
NDeX
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA 
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE COVID-19 VACCINES TO ALL FILIPINOS AND 
ESTABLISHING A SAFE AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION
AND DELIVERY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination “has greatly 
reduced the burden of infectious diseases. Only clean water, also considered to be a 
basic human right, performs better.”1 In fact, human vaccines, “with their exquisite 
antigenic specificity, have greatly helped to eliminate or dramatically abate the 
incidence of a number of historical and current plagues, from smallpox to bacterial 
meningitis.”2 The WHO has stressed the vital role that immunization through 
vaccination plays, to wit:
Immunization Is a global health and development 
success story, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccines 
reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s 
natural defenses to build protection. When you get a vaccine, 
your immune system responds.
Immunization Is a key component of primary health 
care and an Indisputable human right. It’s also one of the 
best health Investments money can buy. Vaccines are also 
critical to the prevention and control of Infectious-disease 
outbreaks. They underpin global health security and will be a
1 Bulletin of the World Health Organization. (February 2008). Vaccination greatly reduces disease, disability, death and inequity 
worldwide. Retrieved on 05 December 2020, from: https://www.who.int/bulletirWoiumes/86/2/07-040089/en/
2 Cassone, A and Rappuoli R. (18 May 2010). Universal Vaccines: Shifting to One for Many. Retrieved on 05 December 2020, 
from: https://mbio.asm.Org/confent/mbio/1/1/e00042-10.fulI.pdf


vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.3 
(Emphasis supplied)
The Global Vaccine Action Plan of the 65* World Health Assembly on 26 May 
2012 recognized “the importance of immunization as one of the most cost-effective 
interventions in public health”, and “should be recognized as a core component of the 
human right to health.”^ Additionally, with universal vaccination, the benefits not only 
far outweigh the costs as the long-term effects prove to be cost-effective and efficient. 
The cost of universal vaccination may seem too high on its face, but could later on be 
the very tool that will help the government to save more money in order to create and 
institutionalize more programs for the welfare of all.
The WHO concluded that the benefits of vaccination “extend beyond prevention 
of specific diseases in individuals. They enable a rich, multifaceted harvest for societies 
and nations. Vaccination makes good economic sense, and meets the need to care for 
the weakest members of societies”, and that a “comprehensive vaccination programme 
is a cornerstone of good public health and will reduce inequities and poverty.
Any responsible government must heed the aforementioned findings on the 
efficacy of vaccination in not only mitigating the spread of diseases, but in promoting 
public health for all. Thus, we must act and invest urgently to implement and maintain 
one of the core solutions in outpacing this pemdemic: a well-prepared, systematic, safe, 
and effective vaccination program for all Filipinos.
For the past few months, the executive branch reported that we have continued 
negotiations with pharmaceutical companies for the supply of at least 14 specific 
COVID-19 vaccines for our local use. However, its vaccination plan leaves much to be 
desired. In a statement. Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the Philippines’ vaccine czar, has 
said that the country will now have to fight for the remaining percentage of future 
COVID-19 vaccine supplies as eighty percent of the global market had already been 
bought up by rich countries, s Amidst this challenge, it must be emphasized: any 
delayed response in securing vaccine supplies should no longer be excused - especially 
as new suppliers with equally good efficacy rates have emerged.
5 Wbrid Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization. Retrieved on 05 December 2020, from: https://www.who.int/health- 
i0ti^^^h8av5Sld,mHMtmJrt^^Siy! (28 May 2012). Globe/ vaccine earn plan Retrteved from; 
^!^SiSSlS!^^S&’S!S!^1^^^!SLima,!loPal<^IPv.cc,.aa.pi:im^^
Chief. Retrieved on 05 December 2020, from: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/rich-nations-atready-secured-80-per-
cent-of-global-covid-19-vacdne-supply-philippine


A concrete plan of action that will universally promote the right of all Filipinos 
to health is vital in winning this battle against COVID-19. A vaccination plan that is 
indusive will be an instrument to create herd immunity in a country of more than 100 
million. Vaccination is an important tool in promoting herd immunity because 
vacdnated people are protected from getting the disease in question and passing it on, 
breaking any chains of transmission.6 Recognizing that vaccination, along with herd 
immunity, is essential in winning over the virus, Japan already secured the future of 
its people by passing into law a measure that will provide COVID-19 vaccinations free 
of charge in their country .7
Anticipating the arrival of these vaccines subject to trials and local evaluation 
soonest, this representation believes the need to guarantee free vaccination for all 
Filipinos whose right to health should not be diminished by belatedly acting on the 
health crisis. As hopes grow for the early arrival of vaccines in the country, we must be 
prepared and guarantee our people the safe and efficient distribution of the vaccine to 
all Filipinos, especially the priority and vulnerable sectors of our society. It cannot be 
overemphasized: vaccine coverage is as important as vaccine efficacy.
We must include in this policy elements of informed consent and allow persons 
to choose which accredited COVID-19 vaccine to receive and the institutions from 
which to receive them.
This bill likewise mandates the creation of a database to ensure the tracking of 
vaccination recipients in case of problems that may arise after the administration of 
the vaccines.
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IJEILAM. DELDMA
6 World Health Organization. (15 October 2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Herd Immunity, lockdowns and COVID-19. Retrieved on
05 December 2020, from: https://www.who.int/news-rooni/q-a-detail/herd-immunity-lockdowns-and-covid-19 
.
7 The Japan Times. (02 December 2020). Japan OKs fiee COVID-19 vaccines for nation. Retrieved on 05 December 2020, from
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/02/national/free-coronavirus-vaccines/


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1942
December 09
DATC
TJf.lE
xWllNDfc X
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE COVID-19 VACCINES TO ALL FILIPINOS AND 
ESTABLISHING A SAFE AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION
AND DELIVERY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled.
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Libreng Bakuna Kontra
2 
COVID-19 Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act.”
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health of the people. Pursuant to this policy, this Act seeks to
5 
safeguard the health of all Filipinos by allocating funds and mandating our country’s
6 
health system to offer vaccines against the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), free of
7 
charge, that has broad clinical and socio-economic benefits.
8 
The State shall take a proactive role in the preventive health care of all Filipinos.
9 
Towards this end, the State shall adopt a comprehensive and sustainable
10 
immunization program for COVID-19 for all Filipinos.
11 
Sec. 3. Free and Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccine Program. - All designated
12 COVID-19 referral hospitals and tertiary public hospitals shall offer approved COVID-
13 
19 vaccines by the Department of Health (DOH) for free in accordance with the
14 
approved list of social groups and sectors to have priority access to the COVID-19
15 
vaccine.
1


1 
Sec. 4. Comprehensive COVID-ig Distribution Plan. - The Inter-Agency Task
2 
Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (lATF-EID), in coordination with infection
3 
disease experts and concerned public sector representatives, shall prepare and submit
4 
a Comprehensive COVID-19 Distribution Plan that shall ensure the safe, efficient and
5 
effective administration of approved COVID-19 vaccines. Policies that will ensure the
6 
efficient delivery of vaccinations services to all Filipinos shall be a part of the plan,
7 
including but not limited to the following:
8 
a) The offering of free voluntary vaccination to all Filipinos following a
9 
system of priority targeting taking into consideration frontline and
10 
vulnerable sectors, as well as areas of high incidence of COVID-19
11 
cases;
12 
b) Ensuring that persons offered vaccination receive information
13 
regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination;
14 
c) A system for documenting vaccine administration, medical contra-
15 
indications, patient refusals and any post-vaccination adverse events;
16 
d) Identification of implementing agencies, units, government officials
17 
and personnel; and
18 
e) The DOH, with the assistance of local government units, academe,
19 
professional societies and non-govemmental organizations, shall
20 
undertake continuing information, education and training programs
21 
for all health personnel on the rationale and benefits of as well as
22 
modem procedures for immunization against vaccine-preventable
23 
diseases.
24 
The distribution plan shall also take into consideration the efficacy of the
25 
vaccine and the necessity to re-vaccinate as may be necessary.
26 
Sec. 5. Education and Information Campaign. - All health care practitioners
27 
or health care workers who are administering COVID-19 vaccines shall educate all
28 
patients on the importance of receiving COVID-19 immunization services, as well as
29 
any possible effects of inunuhization.
30 
The DOH, other government agencies, non-government organizations,
31 
professional and academic societies, and local government units shall make available


1 
appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the
2 
public.
3 
The information campaign shall likewise state that all COVID-19 vaccinations
4 
are optional and that persons may avail of the vaccines from non-govemment
5 
accredited institutions.
6 
Sec. 6. Informed Consent - The COVID-19 vaccine shall be administered only
7 
upon informed consent of the person to he vaccinated. The persons administering the
8 
vaccine is obliged to inform said persons of the following in relation to the COVID-19
9 
vaccine to be administered:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1. Brand to be administered;
2. Nature of the vaccine;
3. Manner in which the vaccine is administered;
4. Persons to whom the vaccine is intended;
5. Persons to whom the vaccine is prohibited or not advised;
6. Side effects of the vaccine, if any;
7. Period of efficacy of the vaccine; and
8. Official DOH and lATF-EID website or social media pages where the 
information on the vaccine is available.
19 
Parents or legal guardians shall provide the informed consent in cases of minors.
20 
Sec. 7. Registration and Certification. — All recipients of the COVID-19
21 
vaccination shall he issued a certification of COVID-19 immunization upon completion
22 
of the required doses and registered in a centralized government-managed database
23 
which shall be subject to the Data Privacy Act.
24 
Production and use of a falsified certification under this Section shall be
25 
punishable under the Revised Penal Code, Title 1, Chapter 1, Section 4 on Falsification
26 
of Legislative, Public Commercial, and Private Documents, and Wireless, Telegraph,
27 
and Telephone Messages.


1 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
2 
this Act shall be charged against the existing realigned appropriations of the 2019,
3 
2020 and 2021 General Appropriations Act for COVID-19 response.
4 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, resolutions,
5 
orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
6 
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
7 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,