As of 05 March 2025, the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Council makes public its preliminary recommendation on the non-inclusion in the PNF and thus the non-government financing of hexavalent vaccine, for stakeholder feedback/comments.
Overall, the HTA Council recognizes that hexavalent vaccines will result in a simpler immunization schedule and thus, better compliance and easier implementation. However, compared to vaccines already included in the DOH NIP [i.e., 1) pentavalent [DTwP-HepB-Hib] vaccine and 2) IPV], both hexavalent vaccines [i.e., 1) DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib (pre-filled glass syringe + Hib in vial) and 2) DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib (pre-filled glass syringe)] will incur much higher costs (i.e., Php 17.1 billion and Php 9.02 billion, respectively) compared to pentavalent vaccine and IPV (i.e., Php 1.7 billion), and is projected to exceed the 2025 NIP budget (i.e., Php 5.4 billion). Nonetheless, the HTA Council is open to conducting reevaluation of these hexavalent vaccines once their costs become more affordable. Finally, the HTA Council also recommends:
- Strengthening efforts to increase vaccine coverage of the current pentavalent vaccine and IPV; and
- Improving the safety surveillance and reporting of all NIP vaccines.
For the evidence reviewed by the HTA Council, please refer to the advisory and the evidence document below.
All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted until 19 March 2025 (Wednesday), for the consideration of the HTA Council, through email at hta@dost.gov.ph. Please use the prescribed form for appeals indicated in the official HTA Philippines website [https://hta.dost.gov.ph/appeals-2/]. Appeals not following the prescribed format, and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be entertained.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the preliminary recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact us through the same email address or via telephone call at (02) 8837 2071 loc. 4100.