A party-list lawmaker is pushing for more free vaccines against infectious diseases for all elderly Filipinos.
Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee has filed House Bill No. 11055 or the proposed Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act of 2024 which will amend Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, broadening the coverage of free vaccines to include all elderly Filipinos.
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In a statement on Thursday, Lee said that his draft measure would also expand the coverage of free immunization to include other infectious diseases such as pertussis or whopping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria as well as illnesses to be recommended by the Department of Health.
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He noted that the free vaccines for senior citizens under RA 9994 were currently limited to influenza and pneumococcal disease. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE