Duque urges indemnification law for adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday asked senators to craft a law for the indemnification of Filipinos who might suffer adverse effects of vaccines supposed to protect them from COVID-19.

Duque urged lawmakers to consider including this in the third emergency law meant to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, proposals for which have been filed in both houses of Congress.

"Hindi naman po kasi pwede ipagkaila na hindi mangyayari o walang walang mangyayaring adverse events. Hopefully wala, pero alam naman po natin kahit na papano, itong mga bakuna ay talagang may kaakibat na adverse events," Duque said at a Senate hearing.

Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Duque how the government could run after vaccine manufacturers and distributors if their products would cause adverse effects.

Duque said the indemnification would depend on how serious the adverse effects would be.

"Ito pong indemnification fund na aming ipinapanukala ay para po doon sa mga  kababayan natin na pag naturukan ay magkaroon po ng adverse effects or side effects following immunization," Duque said.

Hontiveros said she noted Duque's suggestion but added that there was no Senate consensus yet on whether it would push for a third Bayanihan law.

Last December, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto filed the Bayanihan to Rebuild as One bill or Bayanihan 3, which provides for a P485-billion appropriation for various government interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including P55 billion for the purchase of medicine and vaccines.

At least two Bayanihan 3 bills have been filed at the House of Representatives. -NB, GMA News