DBM seeks Congress approval to use Dengvaxia refund

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management announced on Wednesday that the government received a P1.16-billion refund from a local distributor of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine for assistance to those who went through the public immunization program.

 

In a press conference, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the DBM and the Department of Health will seek congressional approval to use the refund from Zuellig Pharma Corp. as a supplemental budget.

 

"The assistance to Dengvaxia vaccinees will address the need of 870,000 Dengvaxia recipients covering hospitalization cost, as well as the outpatient health services for Dengvaxia vaccinees," Diokno said.

 

Medical kits containing thermometers, mosquito repellants and bottles of multivitamins will also be provided to those who were vaccinated, the Budget chief added.

 

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur initially claimed that its world-first dengue vaccine was safe and effective for all people aged 9 to 45, but later acknowledged that it is not recommended for people who have had no prior dengue infection.

 

Sanofi's revelation triggered simmering public anger in the Philippines, where thousands of school children had been vaccinated in 2016, and resulted in two congressional inquiries and a criminal investigation into the matter.

 

With many parents refusing to have their children immunized, the panic stoked by the Dengvaxia controversy has also dented the Philippine government's efforts in battling preventable diseases.