FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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 all 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 a5 that 
is. 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 billis earnestly sought. 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
8 JUL 21 P3 :3% 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION 
PROGRAM FOR FlLlPlNO INFANTS AND CHILDREN, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the W e e  Vaccination and 
lmmunizafion Act of 2008." 
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 social 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); 
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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 government 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 (Pl,OOO,OOO,OOO) 
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. Effecfivify. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its complete publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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