Duque urges ex-president Aquino, Garin to explain Dengvaxia mess

December 8, 2017

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Friday it would be better for former President Benigno Aquino III and his Health Secretary Janette Garin to come forward and explain the controversy behind the anti-dengue vaccine program initiated during the previous administration.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Duque said he also "heard" the supposed meeting of Garin with Sanofi Pasteur, manufacturer of Dengvaxia vaccine, in Paris prior to the procurement of the vaccine.

"But it will be good for everyone. I believe very strongly it is going to be good for everyone to come forward and to say his or her piece and to explain," he said.

"Otherwise, there will be too many speculations and sometimes there are innuendos, very toxic speculations or innuendos. So to prevent that from snowballing, might be good, just tell the truth," Duque said.

But he added, "I’m sure they actually meant well. I have no doubt that they did mean well."

The Department of Health suspended the vaccine program following the warning of Sanofi recently that it could have harmful effect to those who have not yet affected by the dengue virus.

Duque said his office is waiting for the recommendation of the World Health Organization on whether the anti-dengue vaccine program would be resumed.

"So then the WHO, my latest information is that, the strategic advisory group of experts will convene on Tuesday and Wednesday and we are awaiting the new recommendation," he said.

He said it would be a one-page recommendation from the WHO and "that will influence a great deal the next steps that we will pursue at the Department of Health." Celerina Monte/DMS