House OKs bill expanding coverage of vaccination program on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — A proposed measure that aims to expand the coverage of mandatory basic immunization program in the country has been approved on second reading at the House of Representatives.

Members of Congress passed, without any amendments, House Bill 9068 via viva voce vote on Friday.

If enacted, the measure would amend Republic Act 10152 or the Mandatory Infants and Children Immunization Act of 2011, including the list of diseases covered by the national program.

Vaccines for rotavirus, Japanese encephalitis, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and the human papilloma virus would be included in the covered immunization program under the bill.  Other vaccines can be added to the national vaccination program if deemed needed by councils from the Department of Health (DOH).

The approval of the bill on second reading comes as DOH declared measles outbreaks in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, as well as Western and Eastern Visayas. /kga

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