Weak Vaccination Program in Philippines Costs Up to P15B Annually, Says PIDS Expert

The Philippines loses as much as P15 billion every year due to its under-prioritized adult immunization program, leading to mounting healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to a researcher from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Valerie Ulep, a senior research fellow at PIDS, highlighted the significant costs incurred by Filipino adults due to flu-related hospitalizations and outpatient care. The total hospitalization cost for flu among working-age Filipinos is estimated at P1.6 billion, with foregone wages amounting to around P64 million. Additionally, outpatient care costs for flu among adults are estimated at P5.5 billion.

Productivity losses due to sick days average around four days, resulting in nearly P6 billion in losses annually. Ulep emphasized that these losses, totaling around P14 to P15 billion yearly, could be prevented with a well-functioning adult vaccination program.

Infectious disease specialist Rontgene Solante pointed out that most influenza-related deaths occur among Filipinos aged 60 and above. He stressed the importance of prioritizing flu vaccination for this age group to reduce mortality rates.

Ulep warned of the consequences of an under-prioritized adult vaccination program, including rising health system costs, increased vaccine needs as the population ages, declining labor productivity, and widening inequity. She called for government investment in awareness campaigns and regulatory reforms to make vaccines more accessible and affordable.

According to the source: GMA Network.