A new bill has been presented by Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee known as House Bill No. 11055, also named the proposed Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act. The bill aims to provide senior citizens with free immunizations for various diseases such as flu, whooping cough, herpes, cervical cancer, tetanus, and others as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH).
"Many diseases can have severe or even fatal effects on older adults, whose immune systems often become weaker as they age," Lee highlighted. Currently, under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994), only indigent seniors are entitled to free vaccinations.
Lee emphasized the importance of vaccines in preventing illnesses among the elderly and making them more accessible to all senior citizens. He underlined, "That’s why vaccines are so important to prevent these illnesses, especially if they are made free and more accessible for all our senior citizens."
House Bill No. 11055 also includes amendments to the Republic Act No. 10606. The proposed legislation requires the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to offer free vaccines against infectious diseases to senior citizens as part of the services included in the Universal Health Care Law of 2019, which emphasizes the expansion of healthcare services for older individuals.
