New complaint filed vs Garin, 37 others for Dengvaxia death

Another criminal complaint has been filed against former health secretary Janette Garin and 37 others before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the death of an 11-year-old boy inoculated with the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Aside from Garin, those facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and for violating Section 15 of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture act include Dr. Vicente Belizario, Jr., Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, Dr. Lydon Lee Suy, Dr. Irma L. Asuncion, Dr. Julius A. Leccioned, Dr. Joyce Ducusin, Rosalind Vianzon, Mario S. Baquilod, Dr. Socorro P. Lupisan, Dr. Maria Rosario Z. Capeding and Dr. Maria Lourdes C. Santiago.

The complainant, Rowena M. Villegas, the mother of Michael V. Tablate, the 11-year-old boy who is a possible victim of Dengvaxia-related injury and illnesses, is represented by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

Also included in the complaint are executives from the Dengvaxia vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., and its local distributor, Zuellig Pharma Corporation.

Tablate was vaccinated with Dengvaxia three times — on March 29, 2016, November 10 where two shots were given and on July 12, 2017. After a week, Tablate felt sick and was not able to attend his classes. On October 10, 2017, he was brought to the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital for asthma treatment.

Villegas said she then brought Tablate to  D. Carlito Lesaca’s clinic and was given medications for asthma attacks. He was later transferred to the Our Lady of Lourdes International Medical Center where he died on October 31, 2017.

Villegas said that since his son was vaccinated with Dengvaxia, he had felt very ill. Based on the examination conducted by the PAO forensic team, Tablate died of “multiple organ failure” attributed to “viscerotropic-like disease with neurotropic-like disease secondary to Dengvaxia vaccination.”

“This is a result of the yellow fever vaccine backbone of Dengvaxia. The adverse effect upon him started to manifest within three months after last vaccination. Within 24 hours from hospital admission, he died. Prior to his vaccination, there appears to be no physical examination, medical history review, diagnostic tests or screening procedures conducted upon him,” Villegas said. — With Micah Yurielle P. Atienza/INQUIRER.net intern

READ: DOJ to push through with probe on raps vs Aquino, et al. over Dengvaxia