5 more Dengvaxia deaths
Five more children vaccinated with dengue vaccine Dengvaxia were reported to have died, according to a report received by the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
“As of December 27, 14 kaso na-refer sa PGH para sa pag-aaral. Since then mayroon pa tayong mga kaso na
reported at least five… Ang total natin ngayon ay 19 (As of December 27, 14 cases were referred to the PGH for review. Since then, we have at least five more reported cases…. We now have a total of 19),” Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo said.
Of the five cases, Domingo disclosed, three were confirmed while the Epidemiology Bureau is still searching for the remaining two.
UP-PGH has yet to receive the case details of the five additional fatalities.
“We are coordinating with the hospitals to get the case records,” Domingo assured.
The Department of Health (DOH) hopes to get updates on the first 14 cases within this week.
Vaccine controversy Concern came up on November 29, 2017, when Sanofi Pasteur announced a new finding on its dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, which was used in the government's mass immunization program involving around 830,000 children.
“The analysis confirmed that Dengvaxia provides persistent protective benefit against dengue fever in those who had prior infection... For those not previously infected by dengue virus, however, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection,” Sanofi said in a previous statement.
Because of Sanofi Pasteur’s revelation, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III put on hold the government’s vaccination drive on December 1, 2017.
Independent review
With the controversy, the DOH tapped the UP-PGH to provide an independent review and assessment on the probable cause of deaths among children who were vaccinated with Dengvaxia.
“We are being transparent to erase doubts of some sectors and the public that the DOH is allegedly concealing material information resulting from Dengvaxia vaccination. The UP-PGH, as the national university hospital, is the most credible third party institution to conduct this review for the DOH as it has the clinical and research expertise as well as mandate to provide assistance on matters of important health concern. UP-PGH will be providing an independent review and assessment on the probable cause of deaths submitted by the DOH through an expert group of pediatric infectious disease experts together with some forensic pathologists and other specialists with no financial and intellectual ties with Sanofi Pasteur,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in a press conference last December.
“Any report of deaths or disease of these children will be referred to the PGH for review to see if there’s any relationship between the fatality and the vaccine,” Domingo had said earlier.
The expenses for the morbidity and mortality review will be shouldered by DOH and PGH.
Not yet off the hook Meanwhile, Sanofi Pasteur is not yet off the hook despite its planned refund for the unused dengue vaccines.
Sanofi's refund was a “step in the right direction” but the government will pursue the investigation into the possible accountability of the company over the controversial dengue vaccination program, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
“On the Sanofi refund, we welcome that refund but the position of the Department of Health is for a full refund. Nonetheless, we view this latest step of pharmaceutical company as a step in the right direction,” Roque said during a Palace news conference. ”We highlight that the refund will in no way affect ongoing investigations which will ultimately determine whether or not there is criminal culpability on the part of Sanofi,” he added.
Sanofi recently agreed to reimburse the health department 11.4 million for the unused vaccines in the government's vaccination program. The company made clear that the refund was not related to any safety or quality issue with Dengvaxia.
Secretary Duque, however, has asked Sanofi for a full refund for the 13.5-billion Dengvaxia vaccines paid by the government. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)