WHO denies recomending use of Dengvaxia

EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The World Health Organization (WHO) denied that it recommended  to the Philippines and other countries to use Dengvaxia, the world’s first dengue vaccine, for their immunization programs.

In a statement, WHO said such a recommendation was not included in its position paper released in July last year.

“WHO’s position on the dengue vaccine was published in July 2016, based on recommendations of the strategic group of experts on [immunization] which met and published preliminary advice in mid-April 2016,” WHO said.

“The WHO position paper did not include a recommendation to countries to introduce the dengue vaccine into their national immunization programs. Rather, WHO outlined a series of considerations national governments should take into account in deciding whether to introduce the vaccine, based on a review of available data at the time, along with possible risks,” it said. —Tina G. Santos