Justice dep’t orders NBI to prove culpability of Aquino, Garin in dengue vaccine deal

December 4, 2017

The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate  culpability of former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and other health officials in implementing the P3.5 billion dengue vaccine project found to cause health risks to children injected but with no history of the disease. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the NBI to conduct investigation into the alleged anomaly in the P3.5 billion anti-dengue vaccination drive of the Department of Health and French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur. "The National Bureau of Investigation through Director General Dante A. Glerran is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct investigation and case build up over the alleged danger to public health arising from the P 3.5 billion anti-dengue vaccination drive of the (Department of Health) and Sanofi Pasteur and if evidence so warrants to file appropriate charges thereon," Aguirre’s memo stated. Aguirre said Aquino gave the go-signal for the health department to implement the vaccination project in 2016. Garin implemented the project despite strong objections from medical experts due to lack of certification from the World Health Organization. “Yes, everybody who was involved will be included in the NBI investigation,” Aguirre said, in a text message when asked if Aquino is covered by the NBI probe. Aguirre ordered Gierran to submit a report to his office. “We have to know why (the DOH) ordered such a huge amount of vaccine and immediately vaccinated 733,000 schoolchildren. Is that appropriate?” Aguirre said in an interview. Sanofi Pasteur recently issued an advisory to the public that its product Dengvaxia is effective for people who have had dengue prior to immunization, but creates a risk of a "severe" case of dengue for people who have no history of dengue infection. DMS