DOH: Circulating COVID-19 vaccination law IRR not final

By DOH

MANILA, Mar. 21 — The Department of Health (DOH) was made aware of the circulation of an unofficial draft DOH Administrative Order outlining some selected sections of the draft Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Law.

The DOH emphasizes that the national government commits to provide all Filipinos equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines following the prioritization criteria and list approved by the Inter-Agency Task on Emerging Infectious Diseases. The development of the IRR is guided by the principles of equal respect, national equity and legitimacy, found in the WHO SAGE Values Framework. Any provisions that may be perceived to discriminate against any sector of the population from accessing COVID-19 vaccines is not considered in any policy, guideline, protocol that shall be issued by this government.

The contents of the draft IRR were based on recommendations coming from different stakeholders. The DOH together with the government agencies composing the Vaccine Cluster of the National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF), as provided for by the law, are still in the process of reconciling the proposed provisions with other existing laws and guidelines.

The National Government commits to honor the multiparty agreement among DOH, NTF, vaccine manufacturers, and other procuring entities like the private companies and LGUs. All comments and recommendations from different stakeholders are still welcome until the finalization and approval of the IRR. (DOH)