DOH to clinics: Submit names of vaccinated children

MANILA, Philippines — Parents of children vaccinated with Dengvaxia by private doctors are being urged to make sure that the children’s names are submitted by their pediatricians to the Department of Health (DOH).

According to DOH Undersecretary Enrique Domingo, the children who were given Dengvaxia in private clinics are also included in a master list being prepared by the agency.

“Their names should be submitted by their private doctors via the municipal/city health office and then to the DOH regional offices so they could be given ID cards,” he said.

Domingo noted that the patients of private doctors are also covered by the medical assistance being given by the DOH, but they have to be in the master list. 

More than 837,000 students were given Dengvaxia in public schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and some parts of Cebu. This number does not include those vaccinated in private clinics.

Identification cards are being given to the vaccinated children and their mothers as the effect of Dengvaxia on those who do not have history of dengue could be harmful. 

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III has given assurance that the agency is working closely with private hospitals to make sure that vaccinees will be given immediate and adequate medical attention when needed.

Duque added he already asked private hospitals that as much as possible, they should not charge more than the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to avoid out-of-pocket payment of patients and their families.

In the event the medical expenses exceed PhilHealth’s rate, the DOH will reimburse such expenses, provided there are official receipts.