Senate finance committee to tackle Dengvaxia-related bills

THE SENATE committee on finance will hold on Monday a public hearing to discuss bills proposing to fund the medical needs of children who were given the Dengvaxia vaccine from the P1.16 billion refund of manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur. “This first public hearing is our first step towards appropriating a sufficient amount to fund the much-needed support for the Dengvaxia vaccines by providing them with medical assistance for medical kits, hospitalization, out-patient care services, such as laboratory tests,” committee chair Senator Loren B. Legarda said. Representatives from the Departments of Budget and Management, Health, and the Bureau of Treasury are expected to attend the hearing. Parents whose children were vaccinated with Dengvaxia have also been invited. — Camille A. Aguinaldo