Scale of dengue vaccine purchase may be 'misplaced,' says Philhealth exec | ABS-CBN
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Scale of dengue vaccine purchase may be 'misplaced,' says Philhealth exec
Scale of dengue vaccine purchase may be 'misplaced,' says Philhealth exec
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 03, 2017 12:55 AM PHT
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Updated Dec 05, 2017 05:39 PM PHT
MANILA - Spending some P3 billion on dengue vaccines may be a "misplaced priority," given the scale of the government's immunization program, an official of the state health insurance firm said Saturday.
MANILA - Spending some P3 billion on dengue vaccines may be a "misplaced priority," given the scale of the government's immunization program, an official of the state health insurance firm said Saturday.
Aside from dengue, the Department of Health also has to procure vaccines for polio, rabies and pneumonia, Philippine Health Insurance Corp board member Anthony Leachon told DZMM.
Aside from dengue, the Department of Health also has to procure vaccines for polio, rabies and pneumonia, Philippine Health Insurance Corp board member Anthony Leachon told DZMM.
"Ang question namin parang misplaced priority kasi bibili ka ng P3.5 billion for one vaccine lang?" Leachon said.
"Ang question namin parang misplaced priority kasi bibili ka ng P3.5 billion for one vaccine lang?" Leachon said.
(Our question is spending P3.5 billion just for one type of vaccine is a misplaced priority.)
(Our question is spending P3.5 billion just for one type of vaccine is a misplaced priority.)
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The Department of Health on Friday suspended its dengue vaccination program after the French manufacturer of the drug, Sanofi, said Dengvaxia could cause a more severe disease if given to those who had not previously contracted the mosquito-borne illness.
The Department of Health on Friday suspended its dengue vaccination program after the French manufacturer of the drug, Sanofi, said Dengvaxia could cause a more severe disease if given to those who had not previously contracted the mosquito-borne illness.
As of November 2017, about 733,713 Filipino children have been given Dengvaxia.
As of November 2017, about 733,713 Filipino children have been given Dengvaxia.
Leachon, who is a doctor, said there was no antidote against Dengvaxia's possible health risks. He urged the DOH to monitor children who had the vaccine.
Leachon, who is a doctor, said there was no antidote against Dengvaxia's possible health risks. He urged the DOH to monitor children who had the vaccine.
The government may also return the vaccine to the manufacturer and ask for a refund as some of the stock are nearing expiry, he said.
The government may also return the vaccine to the manufacturer and ask for a refund as some of the stock are nearing expiry, he said.
Leachon advised parents of children vaccinated with Dengvaxia to stay calm and monitor their children for any signs of illness.
Leachon advised parents of children vaccinated with Dengvaxia to stay calm and monitor their children for any signs of illness.
"I’m calling for sobriety. Ang kailangan lang natin maintindihan yung sintomas ng lagnat, panghihina, at signs of bleeding," he said.
"I’m calling for sobriety. Ang kailangan lang natin maintindihan yung sintomas ng lagnat, panghihina, at signs of bleeding," he said.
(We need to understand the symptoms, fever, weakness and signs of bleeding.)
(We need to understand the symptoms, fever, weakness and signs of bleeding.)
Health Assistant Secretary Lyndon Suy, spokesperson of DOH, said the agency would wait for further recommendation from the World Health Organization.
Health Assistant Secretary Lyndon Suy, spokesperson of DOH, said the agency would wait for further recommendation from the World Health Organization.
"We are not taking this sitting down. We are going to review the documents as well and go back kung nagkaroon ba talaga ng lapses o wala naman (whether or not there were lapses)," Suy told radio DZMM.
"We are not taking this sitting down. We are going to review the documents as well and go back kung nagkaroon ba talaga ng lapses o wala naman (whether or not there were lapses)," Suy told radio DZMM.
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