AMID the renewed call for the possible revival of the Dengvaxia vaccination program due to rising dengue cases, a health official said that such move would not be possible this year.
Health Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. said yesterday, August 8, that the implementation of Dengvaxia vaccination is not advisable to be done during an outbreak.
“Unang-una kasi ang Dengvaxia was claimed to be effective after first exposure, hindi ‘yong hindi kapa na-expose, so ang outbreak hindi ka pwedeng mag-introduce din ng vaccines doon sa merong nagkasakit na,” Dumama said.
The anti-dengue vaccination program was stopped in December 2017 after Dengvaxia maker Sanofi Pasteur warned that the controversial vaccine might increase the risk among recipients not previously infected by the mosquito-borne virus.
After the incident, it has sown fear among the parents and guardians of school children.
They are currently evaluating the program should they push it through or not.
“Hindi pa natin pwedeng gamitin [ang Dengvaxia] because it has to undergo another series of evaluation, wala pang kasiguraduhan kung ano bang gagawin pero open naman ang Department of Health. Hindi naman sinasara ang pintuan kasi nga ire-review,” Dumama said.
He said that Sanofi Pasteur must be certified as manufacturer with the certificate of product registration (CPR) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can prove that these vaccines are effective and safe.
FDA had permanently revoked the CPR of Sanofi because of the controversy.
“We have to ensure that everything is in place at safe and efficient ‘yong bakuna muna. Hindi pwedeng mapag-usapan ng todo ang Dengvaxia as of the moment. Kung Dengvaxia ang gagawin hindi din advisable according to the WHO (World Health Organization) na magbigay ng Dengvaxia during outbreaks,” he said.