Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Dengvaxia controversy
Dengue vaccine controversy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Dengvaxia controversy (locally [dɛŋˈvakʃa]) occurred in the Philippines when the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was found to increase the risk of disease severity for some people who had received it.[1][2]
A vaccination program run by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) administered Sanofi Pasteur's Dengvaxia to schoolchildren.[3] The program was stopped when Sanofi Pasteur advised the government that the vaccine could put previously uninfected people at a higher risk of a severe case of dengue fever through antibody-dependent enhancement.[4]
In late November 2017, the DOH suspended the school-based vaccination program.[5] The DOH subsequently banned the vaccine's use and sale in the Philippines.[6]
The controversy contributed to low confidence in vaccines in the country, affecting immunization rates and public health outcomes.[7]
Remove ads
Events
On December 1, 2015, former President Benigno Aquino III met with executives of Sanofi Pasteur, making the Philippines the first Asian country to approve the commercial sale of Dengvaxia.[8]
In April 2016, the DOH launched the vaccination campaign in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila, where about 700,000 individuals received at least one dose of the vaccine.[9] The government paid P3.5-billion for the vaccine.[8]
On November 29, 2017, Sanofi Pasteur stated that Dengvaxia posed risk to individuals without prior dengue infection.[10] The DOH suspended the school-based vaccination program and monitored affected students.[9]
Sanofi emphasized that the vaccination program was conducted by the DOH and that the vaccine would not directly cause severe dengue.[11]
Remove ads
Charges
On April 5, 2018, the Public Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and other officials.[12]
Aftermath
Approximately 800,000 schoolchildren received Dengvaxia, with around 10% at risk due to no prior dengue infection.[2]
The controversy contributed to vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines, including impacts on the COVID-19 vaccination program.[13]
Reactions
Citizens and public officials expressed concern over the program, while investigations and Senate hearings examined accountability and safety.[14]
See also
- 2019 Philippines measles outbreak – attributed to the aftermath of the controversy
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads