VACC coordinator: No deaths due to Dengvaxia in Region 3

This file photo taken on January 25, 2016 shows an Aedes Aegypti mosquito photographed on human skin in a lab of the International Training and Medical Research Training Center (CIDEIM) in Cali, Colombia. AFP FILE PHOTO

There are no records of death that can be attributed to Dengvaxia vaccine in the entire Region 3, a Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) coordinator said on Monday.

VACC Region 3 Coordinator Pyra Lucas said she has verified with the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office if there are already reported incidents related to the anti-dengue vaccine.

“Wala pang pumapasok na report [sa DOH Regional Office] about sa case na yun. Walang namatay dahil sa vaccine,” Lucas said in a phone interview.

(There are no reports [at the DOH Regional Office] about the cases of death [related to dengvaxia]. There is no death related to the vaccine.)

“Paano makakapagbigay ang DOH [ng cases] kung wala din silang alam?” she said referring to the statement of VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez on the death of three children.

(How can DOH provide the cases if they do not know about it?)

Lucas clarified that there were a number of children who died in the region, but no valid information could relate the cases to Dengvaxia.

“How can you conclude na dahil dun sa vaccine kung ‘di man lang naaral?”

(How can you conclude that the deaths were due to the vaccine when no study has been conducted yet.)

She then questioned Jimenez and his source regarding the information they obtained.

As of this posting, Lucas has not contacted Jimenez about this matter.

“Tinatawagan ko siya, hindi siya sumasagot.” Lucas said.

(I have been calling him, he is not answering.)

VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez earlier announced at a press conference that three children, who were immunized with the anti-dengue vaccine, have already died in Region 3.       /kga