DOH says flu vaccines expected to arrive in July

MANILA — Halfway into the year, the Department of Health is still waiting for the delivery of vaccines for flu and pertussis, the agency’s officials admitted before the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday.

DOH Undersecretary Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong said based on the terms of reference, which was completed before she assumed office, the vaccines are expected to arrive in the country “towards the third quarter of the year”, with jabs against flu scheduled for delivery next month.

Some lawmakers expressed alarm over the delivery schedule, which they perceive as late, noting that the rainy season, when flu is common, began in the country last month, and vaccines against flu need to be updated every year.

“Flu occurs during the rainy seasons. Bawat taon, nagbabago tayo ng variant depending on what is prevalent… You get that variant in the first quarter of the year… April and May is the best time to jab,” Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin explained

“Pagdating ng last quarter of the year, wala na ‘yan, kasi nagpapalit na ulit. In other words. What’s the use of the vaccine if you’re continuously giving it end of the year?” she stressed.

 “This is completely alarming, doc…Flu, tag ulan na. Paano mangyayari itong pag-catch up natin? Kung mahirap mag-catch up considering we only have five months left until the end of the year, new cycle na naman, what are the options? Pwede bang pumunta nalang ang mga kababayan natin sa private doctors? Will we be left unimmunized?” Committee Vice Chairperson and Marikina City 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo added.

“There are vaccines that are coming in towards the third quarter of the year… The pentavalent has an ongoing with UNICEF. Three million doses are coming in also,” Chiong replied.

The DOH gave assurances that it will conduct early procurement activities this September for the 2025 immunization program and ensure that the terms of reference will provide for an earlier delivery of vaccines next year.

“Mga September pwede na kami mag-EPA, and now we will be checking on the terms of reference na sakto ang mga dating ng bakuna,” Chiong said.

“Why can’t you once and for all make a manual for purposes of procurement of vaccines. Is that something you can commit to us para hindi na tayo mag-slippage?” Quimbo suggested.

Garin also proposed that the DOH come up with measures to hold its personnel accountable for procurement lapses.