Janette Garin welcomes WHO findings on Dengvaxia vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — Facing criminal charges over the Dengvaxia controversy, former health chief Janette Garin said she is “glad” the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a clarification attesting to the “true benefit of the dengue vaccine.”

In a statement, she said the Department of Health (DOH) “was correct all along that the dengue vaccine provides protection and is safe to administer to address the growing danger posed by dengue.”

In a new position paper published Dec. 22, the WHO said the vaccine actually reduces the risk of people getting infected, but emphasized the best way to avoid dengue is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

In the report titled “Updated Questions and Answers related to the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia and its use,” the WHO said the risk of people getting severe dengue after vaccination is actually the same as those who have been inoculated with Dengvaxia because of the high rate of dengue prevalence among Filipinos.

“We welcome the more in-depth findings by the WHO on the safety and efficacy of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine,”Garin said.

“We remain firm in our conviction that the vaccination program in Regions 3, 4a and NCR went through rigid guidelines enumerated by no less than the WHO and was followed by the DOH,” she pointed out.

“Nonetheless, it is the avowed duty of the DOH as an institution to look after the health of the public. And we support and thank the present DOH leadership in performing its duty to monitor public health and provide the needed services,” Garin stressed.

The WHO reiterated its previous confirmation that Dengvaxia had proven to be effective in reducing the risks of contracting dengue and hospitalization for dengue infection upon vaccination.

“The results confirmed previous findings that, overall, vaccinated trial participants had a reduced risk of virologically confirmed severe dengue and hospitalizations due to dengue,” the WHO said.

“Trial participants who were inferred to be seropositive at the time of first vaccination had a durable protection against severe dengue and hospitalization during the entire five-year observation period,” it added.

“In the areas in the Philippines where Dengvaxia was introduced (mainly through school programs), the seroprevalence (or the rate of incidence of dengue infection) was estimated to be at least 85 percent,” it said.

“A seroprevalence of 85 percent means that 85 percent of the population is seropositive and will benefit from Dengvaxia,” the WHO said.

The WHO also pointed out that the new analysis by Sanofi Pasteur of its clinical trial data suggested “a similar rate of severe and hospitalized dengue between unvaccinated seropositive persons and vaccinated seronegative persons.”