Update as of 26 May 2025 : The public consultation and appeals period for the HTA Council Preliminary Recommendation on Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine as booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis for Grade 1 students (6-7 years old), Grade 7 students (11-12 years old) and pregnant women ended on 19 May 2025. Having received an appeal on the Preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council processed this appeal and subsequently finalized the Final Recommendation. The Final Recommendation was transmitted to the Secretary of Health for decision.
As of 02 May 2025, the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Council has completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine as booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis for Grade 1 students (6-7 years old), Grade 7 students (11-12 years old) and pregnant women for possible government financing. The HTA Council hereby releases its preliminary recommendation on the said health technology for stakeholder feedback and comments from 02 May (Friday) to 19 May (Monday) 2025.
As a preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council does not recommend the government financing of Tdap vaccine at this time given that the primary series coverage is still low (less than the WHO recommendation of 90%) and that there is insufficient National Immunization Program (NIP) budget to cover the shift from Tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccine to Tdap vaccine. In order to fully realize the protective benefits of Tdap vaccine, the HTA Council recommends to prioritize improving the primary series coverage and allocating sufficient financial resources for Tdap vaccine implementation, before considering the shift from Td vaccine to Tdap booster vaccination program.
For the supporting evidence reviewed and discussed by the HTA Council in coming up with this preliminary recommendation, please refer to: https://tinyurl.com/EvidenceTdapVaccine . All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted until 19 May 2025 (Monday), 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.