DOH chief: WHO update shows Dengvaxia can worsen dengue in some cases

MANILA, Philippines — Latest data from the World Health Organization confirmed an "earlier hypothesis" that those inoculated with a dengue vaccine without prior infection of the disease could be at a higher risk of contracting a more severe form of the illness, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday.

Duque said five-year follow-up data from the WHO showed that the risk of developing a more severe form of dengue among this group persisted for up to a period of five years after the first dose of anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was given.

The WHO data also showed the efficacy of Dengvaxia in reducing the risk of severe dengue and hospitalization overall among vaccinated trial participants, according to the DOH chief.

"Based on the latest update from the WHO, the five-year follow up data provides evidence of reduced risk of severe dengue and hospitalization overall among vaccinated trial participants but also confirmed an earlier hypothesis that those vaccinated with no prior dengue infection could be at higher risk of more severe dengue and hospitalizations," Duque said in a statement.

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According to its French-based manufacturer Sanofi Pastuer, a post-clinical study of Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Attenuated) indicated an increased risk of hospitalization for dengue and "severe" dengue for patients who had not been previously infected by it.

This worried many parents in the Philippines as the previous Benigno Aquino III administration administered the vaccine to more than 830,000 children starting April 2016. Another 32,000 were vaccinated through private officials, based on official figures.

Congressional investigations have been launched to determine the liability of officials of the previous government as well as possible irregularities in procurement and implementation of the immunization program.

The Department of Justice has also directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and build cases against those involved in the program as some officials of the previous government, including Aquino, have already been sued for their possible liability.

Duque also announced that the DOH would convene a panel of dengue experts next week to review the latest evidence on Dengvaxia gathered from the five-year observation period in clinical trials.

The panel will also study data available to the government through the post-marketing surveillance of the Food and Drug Administration and observation of adverse events following immunization from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, according to the health secretary.

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He added that the DOH had already partnered with the Philippine General Hospital to conduct an independent review of the medical charts of children who had experienced adverse effects and died after immunization.

"The DOH continues to refine our response and action plan in the Dengue Task Force to ensure the safety and best health outcomes for children who were vaccinated through heightened monitoring and surveillance, effective management of adverse events following immunization, activation of the dengue fast lanes in public hospitals and truthful and timely risk communication to the public," he said.

Duque stressed that the primary concern of the health office was attending to the concerns of the public and managing the overall situation.

He called on agencies and individuals concerned to cooperate and allow investigating bodies to do their jobs without being subjected to accusations based on unfounded speculation and suspicion.

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