CHR urges gov’t execs: Keep Dengvaxia fiasco away from politics

Parents of Anjielica Pestilos and Christine Mae De Guzman who reportedly died after receiving dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, arrive at the DOJ accompanied by PAO Chief Persida Acosta. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

For the best interests of children and their families, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged government officials to keep the controversial anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine away from political noise.

The CHR on Friday said that public officials should refrain from causing further public anxiety with “premature statements” that are not backed by scientific evidence.

“It is to the best interest of the children and their families that this issue be insulated from political noise that distracts from providing genuine and durable solution to the problem at hand,” the CHR said in a statement.

“This issue deserves the government’s utmost attention given that the future of our nation depends on the welfare of our children,” it said.

French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur, manufacturer of Dengvaxia, had disclosed that the vaccine may have potential risk to patients who have not had dengue prior to immunization.

Sanofi warned of “more cases of severe disease” for persons injected with the vaccine but had no prior dengue infection.

The CHR said that the government should ensure that children have access to the best health care possible, citing Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said it has heightened its surveillance and monitoring activities of more than 800,000 children administered with Dengvaxia.

The CHR said it has been conducting investigative monitoring of the DOH’s efforts and responses to the vaccine.

“The State must always exercise thorough care and extra due diligence when it comes to formulating and implementing health programs for children,” the commission said.

“Considering the urgency of the problem as children’s lives are at stake, we expect the concerned agencies to provide immediate solutions to this tragic occurrence,” it said.

Moreover, the CHR said it hoped that congressional inquiries into the vaccine would result to legislation that would improve the country’s public health programs and help prevent similar incidents from happening again.