WHO backs DOH anti-dengue vaccination program

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday backed the Department of Health (DOH)’s school-based vaccination against dengue, the most extensively spread mosquito-borne virus in the last 60 years.

This came following the release of the recommendation of WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization last week. SAGE has recommended that a vaccine for dengue called Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV) be considered for use in geographic setting with high endemicity.

Global incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold, according to WHO.

“WHO acknowledges that the dengue vaccination effort that is currently ongoing in the Philippines is consistent with the recommendations made by the WHO expert group. The effort focuses on three regions that have particularly high transmission,” WHO country representative Gundo Weiler said in a press briefing at the DOH.

SAGE has recommended that countries consider introducing CYD-TDV only in geographic setting with high endemicity as indicated by seroprevalence of approximately 70 percent or greater in the age group targeted for vaccination. 

SAGE does not recommend the vaccine when seroprevalence is below 50 percent.

“Dengue vaccine introduction should be part of a comprehensive dengue control strategy together with a communication strategy, well-executed and sustained vector control, the best evidence-based clinical care for all patients with dengue and robust dengue surveillance,” the group said.

Weiler said the SAGE looked at three aspects – “the safety of the vaccine, efficacy of the vaccine based on clinical trial data from Asia and Latin America and the potential impact of the vaccine if it is used in different epidemiological settings based on mathematical modeling.”

“All of these information together was considered by the group and led to the overall assessment that the group and the WHO believe that introducing dengue vaccination in high transmission settings can have a substantial public health impact in particular by reducing the rate of hospitalization due to severe dengue,” he added.

Health Secretary Janette Garin said the DOH went on with the use of the world’s new vaccine against dengue despite criticism from some doctors and health advocates “because we were sure we were on the right track.”

“It was a decision made by DOH officials, DOH experts and other external experts as well. We know there will be hindrances when it comes to implementing programs, especially if it is a good program. We decided to take all the punches because we know that’s part of good governance,” she added.