THE GOVERNMENT in a statement on Sunday, Dec. 3, said those behind the Dengvaxia “anomaly” will be held accountable, referring to an anti-dengue vaccine administered to thousands of children early in 2016.

Last Friday, the Department of Health (DoH) announced the suspension of the vaccination program after the vaccine’s manufacturer itself, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, had disclosed that Dengvaxia could worsen the disease among those who were not previously infected by the virus.

“We will leave no stone unturned in making those responsible for this shameless public health scam which puts hundreds of thousands of young lives at risk accountable,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., said in a statement issued by the Philippine Information Agency on Sunday.

“We understand the concern of our people, especially the parents and the relatives of public elementary children residing in Regions III, IV-A, and NCR, where the dengue vaccination initiative was launched by the previous administration,” he also noted.

Mr. Roque said that, as per the DoH, “there is currently no reported case of severe dengue infection to the individuals who received (the first of three doses of the) dengue vaccine last year.”

The DoH, he added, “is now working in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) to monitor the thousands of students who have been administered with Dengvaxia.”

For his part, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said in a text message to reporters: “Yes. I will have (this) investigated and I will prepare (as soon as possible) the appropriate department order (DO). Everybody who has some involvement will be included and appropriate charges will be filed against them if warranted.” — R.A. Zamora with A.L.E. San Juan, interaksyon.com and AFP

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