Trishia Justine V.

Battung 2021-05197
PH 1 : Introduction to PH

Session 11: Policies and regulation

1. Why do you think do government have vaccination policies?

Primarily, government has vaccination policies to induce behavioral change. Specifically,

vaccination policies aim at reducing the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. Since the government
has recognized the lack of health education and the high rate of vaccine hesitancy, vaccination
policies are present to “force” the community to abide to an action that could best protect its
people. By having vaccination policies, the government shield its people from acquiring the
disease thereby, promoting the health of its citizens.

2. Is vaccination a regulatory policy? Why or why not?

Vaccination has become a regulatory policy. Vaccination has been constantly promoted by
legislative authorities such as the Department of Health in the Philippines. In fact, vaccination is a
protective regulatory policy as it requires an action to be done for the sake of attaining the
population’s health goal. In addition to why it has become a regulatory policy is that it involves
the reduction of risk – in this case, infection of COVID-19. In the Philippines it is not mandatory
however we see that those who are vaccinated are given incentives, such as a premium in
accessing services and goods (going to the mall, school, getting discounts on goods and etc.)

3. What do you think will make the process of vaccination policy development become
consistent with the population’s health goals?

The main population health goal is to preserve life by attaining the best quality of health possible.
In the case of COVID-19, that is to not incur any cases of the said disease. Since the vaccination
policy affects the population, it would be best to gather data coming from the stakeholders (i.e.,
how this affects a group, how could this best contribute to their interests, etc.). Heeding opinion
from the stakeholders when crafting policies is a good action that will make them become active
participators rather than passive partakers. This will hasten and improve the vaccination policy
development.

The premise behind this is that knowing the needs and how best to respond to their needs can
connect both the health goals of the policy makers and the population. For example, in the
business sector, majority has the concern of contracting the disease and loss of income. But by
collaborating with the sector (i.e., promoting that operation can resume if employees will be
vaccinated), both can attain the common health goal. The policy that will be created will then
best respond to the health goals of its stakeholders.