DOH applauds move to amend vaccination law

DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Health (DOH) officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday welcomed the proposal of the Senate leadership to amend the law on the government’s vaccination program to widen access to COVID-19 jabs.

According to her, Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 would be nullified once the state of calamity is lifted as it is bound by such declaration.

All COVID-19 vaccines from the stockpile of the government and private sector are under emergency use because they underwent scrutiny only up to the third phase of preliminary trials.

“If [RA 11525] is amended and institutionalized, the limitations would be removed, [with regards to] vaccination and other [policies] related to COVID response,” Vergeire said.

—KATHLEEN DE VILLA

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