Sanofi insists refusal to refund used Dengvaxia, compensate victims

MANILA, Philippines — Pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur on Monday has once again turned down the request of the Department of Health to reimburse the used doses of Dengvaxia. 

 

The French drugmaker also declined to give compensation to the families of the children who were affected by the dengue vaccine’s botched implementation. 

 

“Refunding the used doses of Dengvaxia would imply that the vaccine is ineffective, which is not the case. And at this time, there is also no known circumstance requiring indemnification,” Sanofi said in a statement. 

 

Sanofi earlier rejected the Health department’s demands last February 5. But last month, it had agreed to refund the unused Dengvaxia vials worth P1.4 billion. 

 

 

The company also insisted that it never claimed that Dengvaxia is 100 percent effective.

 

“We remind you that no vaccine is 100 percent protective. Dengvaxia, like all other vaccines, has never claimed 100 percent efficacy in its approved label,” Sanofi said.

 

It noted that the company is willing to sit down with the DOH to combat dengue in the country and restore the public’s trust in vaccines. 

 

“Our concern and empathy remains with any and all individuals and families who have been affected by these difficult circumstances. Dengue remains a major public health challenge,” Sanofi said.

 

 

The drugmaker added: “Dengvaxia vaccination in the Philippines will provide a net reduction in dengue disease, including severe dengue and thereby, reduce the overall public health burden with this disease.”

 

More than 830,000 people have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia since it was launched during the term of former DOH Secretary Janette Garin.

 

The Dengvaxia fiasco has sparked public panic, with many parents refusing their children to get immunized.