DepEd, DOH, DILG to monitor children who received Dengvaxia
A Manila Health officer scoops empty vials of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia inside a vaccine storage room Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The controversial vaccine, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and administered to more than 700,000 Filipino children, was put on hold by the Philippines last week after new study findings showed it posed risks of severe cases in people without previous infection. The drug was recalled Tuesday from local health centers following the controversy. AP/Bullit Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government are set to implement a strong surveillance system for students who have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia.
The three government agencies, along with local government units (LGUs), will focus on a strengthened surveillance system in Regions 3, 4A, 7 and National Capital Region (NCR).
Other regions will also be involved to ensure that students in public and private schools who have received the dengue vaccine through private practitioners and community-based vaccination will be monitored.
Under the memorandum issued by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, schools from the affected regions are ordered to review the master list of children given the vaccine.
RELATED: DepEd vows 'close' coordination with DOH in monitoring students vaccinated with Dengvaxia
The students who have received the vaccine, regardless of the number of doses, will be flagged for monitoring for any symptoms of fever.
Meanwhile, the DepEd and DOH, along with LGUs will form a coordinated surveillance and fastlane system for vaccinated children.
Schools in Regions 3, 4A, NCR and Cebu province would have to refer vaccinated students with fever to corresponding Rural Health Units.
Parents and teachers can report cases of vaccinated students with fever to a reporting text line that the DOH will set up.
"Schools in coordination with trained health coordinators of the community are encouraged to hold parents' fora especially for parents of vaccinated learners to allay their fears and provide proper information on the vaccine program," the DepEd memo read.
On December 1, the DOH suspended its dengue vaccination program following an analysis that Dengvaxia poses risk to people without prior infection.
The World Health Organization had denied the claims of the DOH that the latter recommended the inclusion of Dengvaxia in its vaccination program. The WHO stressed that the decision of the DOH to roll out the vaccine has been taken even before the WHO's recommendation became available. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
RELATED: Red flags on Dengvaxia ignored, health reform advocate says
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