61 cops fall ill after being vaccinated with Dengvaxia

Days after the reported death of a utility worker vaccinated with Dengvaxia, the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP-GH) said 61 policemen fell ill after being administered with the now-controversial vaccine.

PNP-GH chief Senior Supt. Reimound Sales said that as of March 1, 61 policemen had sought treatment in the hospital due to different symptoms like body pain, cough, colds, and fever.

“It may or may not be related to the vaccine, kasi no one can say, pero yung 61 na ‘yon, ‘yun yung nabigyan ng Dengvaxia (no one can say, but those 61 were given Dengvaxia),” Sales said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said that the patients were already given the proper medical care and were under continuous monitoring.

Sales, however, clarified that the PNP-GH had not yet seen a direct evidence that the symptoms were caused by Dengvaxia.

A total of 4,445 PNP personnel were administered by the vaccine in all Regional Health Service in the country.

Region 4 office had the highest number of people vaccinated with 539; Region 3 with 539; and Region 1 with 442.

A total of 1,319 policemen were vaccinated at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); 297 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; 388 in Special Action Force; 12 at the Aviation Security Group; and 934 at the PNP-GH.

In December last year, a utility man identified as John Rey Pintor, who was vaccinated with Dengvaxia, complained of sore throat and body pains before he died. /je