Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
Malacañang would “leave no stone unturned” in making accountable those responsible for the “shameless” P3.5-billion anti-dengue vaccine that the Department of Health (DOH) suspended after its manufacturer disclosed that it could cause serious harm.
In a statement on Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque slammed the “public health scam” which he said, puts hundreds of thousands of young lives at risk.
Despite this, he also called on the public to not spread information that may further cause undue alarm.
“We understand the concern of our people, especially the parents and the relatives of public elementary children residing in Regions III, IV-A, and NCR, where the dengue vaccination initiative was launched by the previous administration,” Roque said.
“However, we call on all citizens not to spread information that may cause undue alarm,” he added.
Noting the Health department’s report, Roque said there is currently no reported case of severe dengue infection to the individuals who received one dose of dengue vaccine last year.
“Our present health officials are serious in carrying out their mandate to always guard the health and physical well-being of our people, which includes intensifying surveillance and evaluation of our dengue vaccination program,” he said.
“The Department of Health (DOH) is now working in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) to monitor the thousands of students who have been administered with Dengvaxia,” he added.
Last Friday, the DOH suspended the administration of Dengvaxia vaccine and ordered the close observation of those who had received the antidengue vaccine, which is the first to be manufactured in the world.
This, after French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, announced on Wednesday that its vaccine “could lead to more severe symptoms for people who had not previously been infected” by Dengue virus, and that a new study confirmed its benefits for “those who had prior infection.”
The anti-dengue vaccination drive was launched under former Health Secretary Janette Garin. /je
READ: Citing risks, DOH stops P3.5-B dengue vaccine drive