House bill expediting vaccines purchase, creating indemnification fund OK’d on 2nd reading

The House of Representatives on Monday passed on second reading the proposed measure aiming to expedite the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines as well as seeking the creation of an indemnity fund.

The fund will ensure compensation for any individual who develops serious side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

In a vote of ayes and nays, the lower chamber of Congress approved House Bill 8648 or the Act Expediting the Procurement and Administration of Vaccines for the Protection Against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Providing Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes.

The bill was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte last week.

Section 4 of the bill (Procurement of COVID-19 Vaccines and Ancillary Supplies and Services by Local Government Units) states that provinces, cities and municipalities may procure or accept donations only in cooperation with the Department of Health and National Task Force through a multiparty agreement, which shall include the DOH and the relevant supplier or donor of COVID-19 vaccine.

"These LGUs shall procure no more than 50% of their target population for vaccination. Provided, further, that the 50% cap may be adjusted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases when there is sufficient supply of vaccines as determined by DOH and NTF," the bill stated.

It also said the provision on advance payment shall apply to procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies and services. The bill added that LGUs may directly accept donation of vaccines as long as they have been procured through a multiparty agreement.

Another important provision of the measure is the COVID-19 National Vaccine Indemnity Fund, which will be used to compensate any individual inoculated through COVID-19 vaccination program, in case of death, permanent disability, or hospitalization confinement.

"The amount of P500 million is hereby authorized to augment the funds of PhilHealth for this purpose which shall be sourced from the contingent fund as provided under Republic Act 11518 or the General Appropriations Act of 2021," the bill said.

"The claim for indemnification for serious adverse event directly arising from the administration of COVID-19 vaccine must be filed within five years from the day of inoculation," it added.

The IATF should create a special task group, which includes medical and vaccine experts, that will monitor the possible adverse effects after the immunization process.

The proposed measure will also exempt the procurement, deployment and administration of COVID-9 vaccines from import duties, taxes and other fees.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, the principal author of the measure, earlier said each day of delay in the purchase of vaccines, "leaves many of our vulnerable countrymen exposed to the dangers of this disease.”

“The next crucible in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is the speedy procurement and effective administration of vaccines against the deadly disease,” Velasco had said. — BM, GMA News