Pregnant teen who had Dengvaxia inoculation hospitalized

The Philippine Children’s Medical Center on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A pregnant 15-year old was among the 21 people taken to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) suffering from fever and rashes – all of them had been inoculated with the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said the 21 people, including the 15-year old, were taken to the PCMC on Monday.

“They all have fever and rashes and they were all inoculated with Dengvaxia,” Acosta said.

The 15-year old was inoculated in her early stages of pregnancy.

“This could have been avoided if only an interview was conducted – the profile, history of every child that were about to be vaccinated,” Acosta said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Aside from the 21, Acosta said there were also a number of children sent to teh PCMC for medical assistance.

“They were given medicine, vitamins before they were discharged. But we are closely monitoring their conditions,” Acosta said.

She said there were also children admitted to the hospital who had weak immune systems or who were in a more serious condition.

The nationwide anti-dengue vaccination program started during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. The Duterte administration continued the program

The program was suspended after health experts expressed apprehension on the pronouncement of the manufacture, Sanofi Pasteur, that those not previously infected with dengue should not receive the vaccine. /atm