Doctor is 31st Dengvaxia case in DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — Another case was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday against former health secretary Janette Garin and others tagged in deaths attributed to the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

The new complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of consumer protection and anti-torture laws involves the death of Kendric Gotoc, a 39-year-old medical doctor who died in April last year after getting three doses of the anti-dengue vaccine.

Just like students who died allegedly after being inoculated with Dengvaxia, the doctor also had no dengue history when he received the vaccine.

He was reported to have died of multiple organ failure, multiple organ hemorrhage and neurotropic-like disease and viscerotropic-like disease secondary to Dengvaxia vaccination.

“All respondents arbitrarily, maliciously, and deliberately failed to inform the Dengvaxia recipients and their parents/families of the dangers and risks related to Dengvaxia and did not obtain their informed consent,” read the complaint filed by Gotoc’s mother Norma through the assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office. 

Apart from Garin, the complaint included Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in the charge sheet since it was during his watch when the victim received his vaccine.

 Also named respondents again were executives of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma.

 This is the 31st case filed before the DOJ on the Dengvaxia controversy. 

Meanwhile, the DOJ has junked with finality the libel charges filed by Garin against her successor, former secretary Paulyn Ubial, and other former health officials over their allegations on her involvement in the controversy.

In a six-page resolution released yesterday, the DOJ stood firm in its finding that the allegations did not have malice – a key element in the crime of libel.