Compulsory Immunization for Children

The decree recognizes that the child is one of the most important assets of the nation and must be supported for welfare and a useful, healthy, and happy life.
The decree establishes that the child can be protected against death, disease, and disability through an integrated and comprehensive basic immunization program for infants and children below eight years of age.
The decree states that immunization against tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, and other diseases is proven, efficient, safe, and economical as a preventive measure against the morbid and devastating effects of these diseases.
The decree directs that the Department of Health shall implement the program using available resources and develop resources for other immunizations.

Section 1 requires basic immunization to be compulsory for infants and children below eight years of age.
Section 2 covers basic immunization services for these infants and children, including specified immunizations and additional basic immunization services recommended for implementation.
Sections 4, 5, and 6 impose duties on parents/guardians/persons having custody, school or institution heads, and schools for specified contexts involving infants and children.
The decree’s compulsory requirement operates for eligible children who are presented or enrolled in the settings described by the duty-imposing provisions.

Section 2 defines basic immunization services to include BCG vaccination against tuberculosis.
Section 2 requires inoculation against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Section 2 requires oral poliomyelitis immunization.
Section 2 requires protection against measles.
Section 2 requires immunization against rubella.
Section 2 authorizes inclusion of such other basic immunization services for infants and children below eight years of age which the Council for the Welfare of Children may recommend to the Secretary of Health.

Section 3 assigns the Department of Health responsibility to provide free basic immunization services under the decree.
Section 3 makes the free services subject to rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of Health.
Section 3 requires the Secretary of Health’s rules and regulations to cover immunization, ages, schedules, procedures, and available resources to carry out the decree’s purposes.

Section 4 imposes on parents, guardian, or the person having custody the duty to ensure that the infant or child is presented for basic immunization services.
Section 4 requires presentation at such place and time as specified by the Department of Health.

Section 5 requires the head of an institution where infants or children are educated, treated, cared for, or committed by law for preventive or rehabilitative services to provide basic immunization services.
Section 5 permits arrangements for free immunization services with the Department of Health for such institutions.

Section 6 requires all schools, public and private, to provide basic immunization services to all pre-school and primary school entrants who have not received such immunization.
Section 6 makes the requirement subject to rules and regulations that the Secretary of Health may promulgate.

Section 7 provides that violations of any provision of the decree are punished by imprisonment not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding two hundred pesos, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
Section 7 provides an exception: the penalty applies unless a higher penalty is provided for in the Revised Penal Code or special laws.

Section 8 repeals or modifies all laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the decree.
Section 9 provides separability: if any provision is held invalid, the other provisions continue in operation.
The decree effectivity is governed by Section 10, taking effect upon approval.