THEY could have taken the more cautious route than rush the distribution of the dengue vaccine despite the doubts.
It is unfortunate that thousands of children have already been given the vaccine when the Department of Health decided to suspend its P3-billion dengue vaccination program in light of new analysis that the vaccine, Dengvaxia, was more of a risk than a prevention. The analysis showed that the vaccine could cause severe dengue fever to those who have not been previously infected with the virus. This was the opposite of what the vaccine was supposed to do.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque asked the public not to panic as the department would try to trace the whereabouts and conditions of the 733,713 children from Central Luzon, Calabarzon and National Capital Region who received Dengvaxia as of last month. Duque said his officers would determine who among those given the vaccine have not been exposed to the virus prior to vaccination. It seems that those who did not have dengue are more at risk than those who already received treatment for the virus.
A report at www.sunstar.com.ph said Dengvaxia is given to persons aged nine to 45 as a three-dose series on a 0/6/12-month schedule. In the Philippines, Duque said the first dose was administered to the children of the three pilot regions last April. The second dose was given last October and the third dose is supposed to be given in October 2018. The vaccine has also been introduced in Brazil. Together with the Philippines, the target was to administer it to about one million individuals.
It is not easy for parents of children who received the vaccine to not panic. Not when they do not have enough information on what to do, following the Health department’s realization that the vaccine was not supposed to be given to those who have not been infected with the dengue virus.
The Health department has to answer for its wrong decision to approve the distribution of the vaccine despite the questions and warnings. Corrective steps have to been taken but strong action is needed to let people account for the mistake and ensure that a proper procedure is followed the next time.
Who then will answer if one of the children vaccinated would die of dengue?
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Today marks the annual homecoming of the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu billed as “Coming Home in Coachella.”
Registration starts at 1 p.m. at the Cebu campus, followed by mass at 3 p.m. at the auditorium. After mass, the alumni and their guests will be treated to a snack of churros con chocoláte caliente prepared by the DC Vincentian sisters, a tradition in such gatherings. The opening of the celebration and dance presentations per jubilee batch will be held at the campus grounds. Closing activity will be dinner.
The homecoming is set to be a celebration of life, family and friends based on the theme. Presentations by jubilarians are expected to be breezy and bohemian, in line with the “Coachella” spirit that traces its roots to a festival of music and art in California in the United States.