UP-PGH panel: Only 3 of 14 Dengvaxia-linked deaths due to dengue
More than 830,000 people have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia since it was launched during the term of former DOH secretary Janette Garin. The STAR/Boy Santos
MANILA, Philippines — Three of the 14 children who died after being vaccinated with Dengvaxia contracted dengue, the review of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital showed.
“Three cases were found to have causal association. They died of dengue despite receiving Dengvaxia,” Department of Health Usec. Rolando Domingo said in a press briefing Friday.
Domingo said that two of these children may have died because of vaccine failure, but added that more tests should still be done.
The result of the UP-PGH panel’s review also found out the deaths of another three children had nothing to do with the controversial vaccine.
The other six cases developed other diseases within 30 days after being immunized, while the causes of the remaining two cases are still unknown due to lack of information submitted to the panel.
“Pinagtitibay nito ang naging desisyon ng departamento na ipatigil ang dengue immunization program dahil ang Dengvaxia ay hindi dapat ipinapatupad sa ilalim ng isang mass immunization program na hindi sinisuri muna kung nagkaroon na ba ng dengue ang isang bata o kaya may iba pang sakit bago nabigyan ng bakuna,” Domingo said.
He added the department plans to submit the reports to the Department of Justice.
Last December, DOH tapped the UP-PGH to conduct an independent review on the probable cause of deaths allegedly linked to Dengvaxia.
More than 830,000 people have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia since it was launched during the term of former DOH secretary Janette Garin.
READ: DOH taps UP-PGH to review Dengvaxia-linked deaths
VACC complaint
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed a complaint for violation of the Omnibus Election Code against former President Benigno Aquino III, former budget chief Florencio Abad, Garin and 16 other DOH officials over the Dengvaxia fiasco.
The complaint claimed P3.5 billion were released to procure Dengvaxia 45 days before the May 2016 national elections.
Section 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits the use of public funds 45 days before a regular election.
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