Sen. Joel Villanueva. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Senator Joel Villanueva joined other officials in denouncing the implementation of the anti-dengue vaccine, saying the Department of Health (DOH) and pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur should be held accountable for allowing the harmful vaccine be administered to at least 400,000 children nationwide.
“We should hold the appropriate DOH officials responsible for haphazardly allowing the vaccine to be administered to students, without extensive due diligence on the effects of the drugs and without waiting for the results of comprehensive clinical trial,” Villanueva said in a statement on Friday.
READ: Pharma firm issues caution on use of anti-dengue vaccine
“Sanofi should also be made accountable for their haphazard release of the drugs without complete and proper clinical studies,” Villanueva said.
The senator also scored Sanofi for revealing the result of their clinical study after the DOH had already purchased P3 billion worth of the vaccine.
Like Senator Nancy Binay, Villanueva said the DOH should launch a nationwide campaign to inform the public, especially the parents of the affected students, about the risks posed by Dengvaxia.
READ: Binay calls on DOH, Sanofi to inform public on effects of Dengvaxia
“We call on the DOH to review its protocols in initiating mass vaccination and undertake massive information campaign to inform the public of the dangers of administering this vaccine,” Villanueva stressed.
“The DOH and the Department of Education should also closely monitor the kids that were vaccinated and ensure that proper medical support will be provided to them,” Villanueva said. /jpv