Health department halts mass dengue vaccination

December 1, 2017

Following a  new report on the dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, the health department Friday ordered the stoppage of its mass dengue vaccination program in three regions in the country.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told a press conference they are putting on hold the dengue immunization program in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

"In the light of this new analysis, the DOH will place the dengue vaccination program on hold while review and consultation is ongoing with experts, key stakeholders, and the World Health Organization (WHO)," said Duque.

He said WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization is set to meet on December 12 or 13 to discuss the dengue vaccine.

Duque said they will be watching the status of the 733,713 recipients of the dengue vaccine in their immunization program, which began early 2016.

Duque said they will also order the mandatory reporting of hospitalized cases of vaccine recipients regardless of symptoms.

"We need to ensure that we can monitor and conduct investigation on these cases while also providing supportive care if necessary," said Duque.

Duque said those that got sick of  dengue and given shots can be assured of having reduced chances of  another infection.

Duque said those who have not had prior exposure to dengue and were given the vaccination are guaranteed to have a protective period of 30 months or two and a half years.

"This vaccine is still safe so to the parents, please to not worry. The DOH is on top of the situation," said Duque.

On Thursday, Dengvaxia developer, Sanofi Pasteur, admitted that a new analysis of long-term clinical trial data showed differences in vaccine performance based on prior dengue infection.

Sanofi said the latest analysis confirmed that Dengvaxia provides persistent protective benefit against dengue fever in those who had prior infection.  Those not previously infected by dengue virus, may result to more cases of severe disease following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection.

As to possible liability of those behind the mass dengue vaccine program, Duque said they are still reviewing the contracts.

"Currently, our legal services have been tasked to review contracts pertaining to the dengue immunization program," said Duque. DMS