Garin: Out of 20 countries using Dengvaxia, only in PH are ‘alarmists’ sowing fear

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin on Thursday said it is only in the Philippines that “alarmists” are creating furor over the Dengvaxia vaccine that has been tagged in the deaths of over 80 Filipino children.

“As the legal process moves forward and scientific facts determined, the truth will come out,” she said during the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Of the 20 countries in the world using Dengvaxia, only in the Philippines are we allowing alarmists to exaggerate things and sow fear in public,” she added.

Meanwhile, about the documents citing that she had been warned of the negative effects of Dengvaxia even before the immunization project started, Garin said the issue has already been tackled during the Senate investigation on Dengvaxia.

During the preliminary investigation at the DOJ, the complainants, represented by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), had presented a letter dated March 27, 2016 signed by academicians, scientists, and clinicians expressing concerns on the effect of Dengvaxia.

READ: Garin warned vs ‘systemic side effects’ of Dengvaxia, experts’ letter shows

“These are the same documents and allegations which have been answered during the Senate hearings. The specialists in this field are those schooled and trained in infectious diseases and vaccinology,”  Garin said in a text message.

“Meetings were specially convened by virtue of that letter and I personally requested a pull-out meeting in WHO (World Health Organization) Geneva to present those questions,” she added. /vvp