Dengvaxia mess: 32nd complaint filed vs Garin, others

MANILA, Philippines – Another complaint has been filed against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and several others before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the death of a girl supposedly caused by the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

The new complaint was filed by parents and relatives of 12 year – old Zarah Mae De Luna, who died in November 2017.

The 32nd complaint was for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act.

Like the other schoolchildren who died allegedly after being inoculated with Dengvaxia, De Luna also had no history of dengue when he was vaccinated.

She died of multiple-organ hemorrhage and Neurotropic-Like Disease (NLD) and Viscerotropic-like Disease (VLD) secondary to Dengvaxia vaccination, according to a forensic examination conducted by the Public Attorney’s Office. (PAO).

“All respondents arbitrarily, maliciously, and deliberately failed to inform the Dengvaxia recipients and their parents/families of the dangers and risks related to Dengvaxia and did not obtain their informed consent,” read the complaint filed by De Luna’s parents Gerardo and Marissa through the assistance of the PAO.

Apart from Garin, likewise included in the complaint are executives of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma.

Last week, a similar complaint was filed by the mother of Kendric Gotoc, a 39-year-old medical doctor who died in April last year after getting three doses of the anti-dengue vaccine.

Meanwhile, the DOJ has started its preliminary investigation on the third batch of cases involving 13 victims – Wiljen Alcontin, Eleazar Brigoli Jr., Trishanne Asona, EJ Christian Apa, Joaniña Cortes, Gladimeir Juevesano, Kianah Mae Racuya, Adeline Castroverde, Jessica Viaros and Senior Police Officer 2 Vicente Arugay; Shiela Mae Guerra and Gillian Vasquez; and Kristen Jean Martira.

The investigating panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Arnold Magpantay gave respondents until the next hearing set on Feb.21 to file their answers to the charges.

The DOJ, through another panel chaired by Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Emilia Victorio, already concluded the preliminary investigation on the first batch of cases involving the deaths of nine schoolchildren – Aejay Bautista, Angelica Pestilos, Lenard Baldonado, Zandro Colite, Abbie Hedia, Jansyn Bataan, Mark Axel Ebonia, Rey Justin Almagno and Alexander Jaime.

A separate investigating panel chaired by Senior Associate Prosecutor Susan Dacanay has also concluded the preliminary investigation on the second batch of cases involving eight victims – Clarissa Alcantara, Christine Mae De Guzman, Erico Leabres, Roshaine Cariño, Naomi Nimura, John Paul Rafael, Michael Tablate and Christine Joy Asuncion. /gsg