SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) (Otiice ot sie Secretacy
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
Second Regular Session ) 18 MAR 22 P1205

SENATE
S.B.No.__1769 reccinoe: _ Fat

Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE
DENGVAXIA VACCINEES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

More than 830,000 children were inoculated of Dengvaxia vaccine
which supposed to prevent the occurrence of severe Dengue among the
population.

However, on November 28, 2017, Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer
of Dengvaxia, released a new clinical finding on the vaccine’s adverse effect
to its recipients. This reinforce the previous sentiment from the medical
community that the government should have defer the launch and
implementation of the Dengue vaccine.

Following the announcement of Sanofi Pasteur, numerous Dengvaxia
inoculated children has been reported in the news to have allegedly
developed different adverse effects, from headache to death. Experts
claimed that further study is needed to determine if there is a correlation
between Dengvaxia and deaths among school children who have been
inoculated with vaccines.

On the other hand, assistance from the government to Dengvaxia
recipient children is needed to guarantee that immediate attention will be
given if suspected adverse effects occur to said children. Furthermore, the
government needs to undertake surveillance of the kids injected with the
vaccine and identify and monitor the condition of those who had not been
infected prior to vaccination.



Under this measure, the Department of Health shall manage the
Dengvaxia Program that intends to address the needs of Dengvaxia
vaccines. The proposed funding for the said program will initially come from
the Php1.16 billion refund from Zuellig Pharma for the unused Dengvaxia
vaccines. This amount is already available based on a certification from the
Bureau of Treasury.

The enactment of this bill is one of the necessary steps to ensure the
protection and welfare of the Dengvaxia recipients.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this earnestly
sought.

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Seccetary

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  ) 18 MAR 22 P1206
Second Regular Session )
RECEN/.0 2%. fe
SENATE
S.B. No. _ 1769

Introduced by Senator JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE
DENGVAXIA VACCINEES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Dengvaxia
Assistance Program.”

Sec. 2. Dengvaxia Assistance Program. — The Department of Health
(DOH) shall implement Dengvaxia Assistance Program that includes but not
limited to the following:

a. Medical assistance program for hospitalization of Dengvaxia

recipients;

b. Outpatient health care services for Dengvaxia recipients;

c. Deployment of Nurse-Health Education and Promotion Officers; and,

d. Distribution of medical kits to Dengvaxia vaccinees.

Sec. 3. Appropriations. — For the fiscal year 2018, the sum of One Billion
One Hundred Sixty-Five Million One Hundred Ninety Thousand Pesos
(P1,165,190,000.00) is hereby appropriated to fund Dengvaxia Assistance
Program established under this Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary to
cover the implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the
DOH under the General Appropriations Act.

1



Sec. 4. Use and Release of Funds. — The amount appropriated shall be
used for the Dengvaxia Assistance Program established under Section 2 of
this Act. Release of funds under this Act shall be made directly to the
Department of Health and other implementing agencies.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Budget and Management and DOH shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of existing laws, order, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or section of this Act is held
to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or sections hereof,
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,