The Health Technology Assessment Committee (HTAC), an independent advisory body created under the Universal Health Care Act provides guidance to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on the coverage of health interventions and technologies to be funded publicly has recommended RotaSiil™ to be included in the Philippine National Formulary and National Immunization Program.
The HTAC recognizes the significant burden of Rotavirus diarrhea in the Philippines. Based on global data, rotavirus was the leading cause of diarrhea-related deaths in children under 5, accounting for 130,000 deaths. Locally, children under five years old experienced the highest rates of diarrhea-related mortality, incidence, and prevalence. Policymakers sought more evidence to inform the decision on incorporating Rotavirus vaccines into routine immunization programs.
According to the Health Technology Assessment Committee’s evaluation, RotaSiil™ significantly reduced the risk of rotavirus diarrhea or gastroenteritis of any severity and is safe for use in children less than 1 year of age. Rotavirus vaccination was deemed cost-effective in children less than one year of age making it a high priority for inclusion in the National Immunization Program.