DOH: Boy who died after anti-dengue injection had heart condition

BAGAC, Bataan–An 11-year-old pupil died days after receiving the anti-dengue vaccine on March 31, but the Department of Health (DOH) said the boy suffered from a heart ailment.

John Paul Rafael, who was enrolled at the Overland Elementary School here, died on April 11 while being treated at a local hospital, prompting his relatives to blame the vaccine, Dengvaxia, which was administered for free to Grade 4 pupils.

“The vaccine was not the cause of death. Upon further investigation, it was found that he had a pre-existing congenital heart disease complicated by pneumonia,” Dr. Jess Fantone, DOH Central Luzon spokesperson, said on Tuesday.

The DOH national adverse event committee of the dengue vaccination program had classified Rafael’s death as “coincidental with the vaccination,” Fantone said.

Rafael’s aunt, Michelle Arevalo, 23, said it was not likely that the boy would die right after receiving the vaccine from government health workers.

Shortly after the vaccination, the boy had complained of dizziness and developed a fever, Rafael’s relatives said.

The boy was given an anti-fever medication and  advised to take a rest. He was taken to a private clinic in Orani town, where a doctor treated him for stomach discomfort.

On April 4, the boy complained once more of dizziness and severe pain. Rafael was confined at the Bataan General Hospital for pneumonia and congenital heart disease.

His condition grew worse and he died at 3 a.m. on April 11.

The attending doctors informed the boy’s relatives that he died of pneumonia and congenital heart failure.

But Arevalo said they suspected that the vaccine had triggered Rafael’s condition. “I hope next time health authorities should take extra precautions in administering the anti-dengue vaccine to children, more particularly those with a heart condition,” she said. JE

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