Alternative Budget 2011: Tungo sa Paggugol na Tapat, Sapat at Nararapat
The Expanded Program on Immunization almost tripled its budget, from P991 million to P2.5billion to enable the country to move a step closer to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of reducing infant and child mortality as well as maternal mortality. As provided in RA No 7876 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of the Philippines, Some 865, 950 senior citizens, from 60 to 69 years old, will likewise be covered by the immunization program. They will be given pneumococcal and influenza vaccines every five years. Immunization Program for Infants, Children, Mothers and Elderly, which includes Vaccines—EPI (P594 M); Pneumococcal/Influenza (P 5.2B). The Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) includes BCG, DPT, measles, polio, hepatitis B to increase from 91% in 2010 to 95% in 2015. The cost for vaccine is P350/flu shot. The administration is yearly for influenza but every 5-10 years for pneumococcal. This means that huge investment for elderly vaccine is only required every 5-10 years. An additional P2.9 billion is proposed in order to fund 1 million pneumonia and influenza vaccines for senior citizens and to provide training for community-based health workers (at least 3 volunteers per barangays) to render services for bedridden and sick old people. (See Table 5) Table 5: Additional Budget for Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI)
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Family Health including Family Planning Maternal, Newborn & Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) (P456 M) and Reproductive Health (P1.8 B) The budget for family planning was slashed by 35 percent.
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