MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is ready to face any class action suit amid the controversial dengue immunization program, which has been suspended for potential health risks.
Last week, the DOH announced the suspension of the vaccination program following an analysis from Sanofi pasteur that the vaccine poses risks for those who were not infected by dengue virus before.
"We’re ready for that kasi nga sabi natin preorogative 'yan ng mga magulang o ng mga tao na gawa ng ganitong concern," DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy said in a press briefing at Malacanang.
Lee-Suy added that the main intention of the DOH is to provide protection to the public for such concerns.
READ: DOH suspends dengue immunization program over potential health risk
"May mga dokumento naman kami na magpapatunay naman na maayos naman lahat," Lee-Suy said.
Lee-Suy added that the DOH has yet to review documents for the possibility that Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, may have withheld information on the risks of the vaccine.
The DOH is set to hold a series of consultative meetings with Sanofi to address the issue, according to Lee-Suy.
"I do not want to use the word abswelto here. Malinawan man tayo dito it does not happen again in any future transaction we have, not only with Sanofi, but with the other companies as well," he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into possible criminal liability of government officials involved in the dengue vaccine mess.
Malacañang, on the other hand, assured the public that there is no reason to panic over the suspended immunization program.
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