State policy and purpose
- The State adopts a proactive role in preventive health care for infants and children under Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution (Section 2).
- The State must adopt a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine-preventable diseases for all infants and children (Section 2).
Coverage: who is covered and what diseases
- Mandatory basic immunization covers the vaccine-preventable diseases: (a) Tuberculosis; (b) Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; (c) Poliomyelitis; (d) Measles; (e) Mumps; (f) Rubella or German measles; (g) Hepatitis-B; (h) H. Influenza type B (HIB); and (i) such other types as may be determined by the Secretary of Health in a department circular (Section 3).
- Mandatory basic immunization covers all infants and children up to five (5) years of age (Section 3).
- Mandatory basic immunization must be given for free at any government hospital or health center to eligible infants and children (Section 3).
- The Hepatitis-B vaccine must be administered within twenty-four (24) hours after birth in the following settings (Section 3):
- In hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers, or lying-in centers with obstetrical and pediatric services, whether public or private (Section 3).
- In cases of births in places other than the above, the duly licensed physician, nurse or midwife who delivers or assists in the delivery of the newborn must administer the vaccine (Section 3).
- For births assisted by persons other than the health professionals mentioned, the infant must be brought to an available health care facility for Hepatitis-B immunization within twenty-four (24) hours after birth but not later than seven (7) days (Section 3).
- Subsequent Hepatitis-B doses must be completed according to the recommended schedule of Hepatitis-B immunization as provided in the implementing rules and regulations issued by the Department of Health (DOH) (Section 3).
Education, information, and public awareness
- Health care practitioners or health care workers administering prenatal care must educate all pregnant mothers on:
- the importance of giving infants the basic immunization services; and
- any possible effects of immunization (Section 4).
- The DOH, other government agencies, nongovernment organizations, professional and academic societies, and local government units must make available appropriate information materials and must have a system for their distribution to the public (Section 4).
Mandatory obligation to inform parents/guardians
- Any physician, nurse, midwife, nursing aide, or skilled birth attendant who delivers, or assists in the delivery of a newborn must inform parents or legal guardian of the newborn prior to delivery of:
- the availability;
- the nature; and
- the benefits
of immunization against Hepatitis-B and other vaccine-preventable diseases at birth (Section 5).
Training and continuing education for health personnel
- The DOH, with the assistance of local government units, academe, professional societies, and nongovernmental organizations, must undertake continuing information, education, and training programs for all health personnel on:
- the rationale and benefits; and
- modern procedures
for immunization of infants and children against vaccine-preventable diseases (Section 6).
Funding, appropriations, and benefit package
- Implementation funding must be charged against the current year’s appropriations for the DOH expanded program on immunization (Section 7).
- Thereafter, sums necessary for continued implementation must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (Section 7).
- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) must include the basic immunization services in its benefit package (Section 7).
Implementing rules and regulations
- The DOH, in consultation with the National Immunization Committee, must issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after approval of the Act (Section 8).
Separability, repeals, and mandatory consistency
- If any part or provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected continue in full force and effect (Section 9).
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with Republic Act No. 10152 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly (Section 10).
Repeal coverage and legal basis
- Republic Act No. 10152 provides for the repeal for the purpose of Presidential Decree No. 996, as amended (title; Section 10 effect of inconsistent laws).