Ejercito: Isolate Dengvaxia from other effective vaccines to fight outbreak

Sen. JV Ejercito. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA Philippines — Senator JV Ejercito appealed to the public to isolate the controversial Dengvaxia from the other vaccines that are proven to be effective, noting that parents must have their children vaccinated amid the recent measles outbreak.

“Sana ihiwalay na yung Dengvaxia dun sa proven vaccines dahil itong mga ito napatunayan na ito dahil ito ay proven para maiwasan na magkaroon ng sakit ang ating mga anak,” Ejercito said over DWIZ on Saturday.

Ejercito added that the Dengvaxia issue may cause confusion and even fear among people from patronizing other proven vaccines that could prevent children from getting contagious diseases.

“Dahil sa pagiging sensationalized na dahil sobrang mainit na ang isipin ng Dengvaxia, baka matakot na talaga magpabakuna. Pati yung sa proven vaccines matakot na. Pero ito na nga ang nangyayari ngayon pero nagkaintindihan naman kasi kami nun,” he said.

READ: DOH: 55 children dead in Metro Manila measles outbreak

In November 2017, Dengvaxia maker Sanofi Pasteur issued a warning saying that people not infected with dengue virus prior to Dengvaxia vaccination might suffer severe symptoms.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), more than 830,000 people, mostly children, had been given Dengvaxia shots before it was ordered stopped following Sanofi’s announcement.

Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said over DWIZ that experts from DOH must also support their claims on vaccines for measles with scientific studies.

“Kasi sila yung mga experts diyan. Paliwanag nila na ganun na meron na mga vaccines na inimbento — na malawak na yung scieintific na pag-aaral na effective po ‘yan,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel added that scientific studies that could prove the effectivity of measles vaccines may help convince parents to have their kids vaccinated.

“Ilabas niyo ang pag-aaral ilabas niyo ang mga figures diyan. Ang tanong meron bang ganyang pag-aaral sa measles? Ilabas niyo na para makumbinse natin ang mga magulang,” he said. /jpv