House adopts Senate bill expediting COVID-19 vaccine purchase

The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the bill on Tuesday night to expedite the purchase and administration of coronavirus vaccines.

The measure authorizes the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against Covid-19 to undertake negotiated procurement of vaccines and ancillary supplies and services for their storage, transport, and distribution.

Local government units are allowed to purchase vaccines in coordination with the DOH and NTF, up to 75% of their target population for vaccination.

The bill also allocates P500 million as an indemnity fund to compensate individuals experiencing adverse effects after inoculation.