More than 800,000 school children received the vaccine last year in the world's first public dengue immunisation programme. (Source: Reuters)Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines isinvestigating the deaths of 14 children which were suspected of being relatedto the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, the use which was suspended by the government recently,the country’s health officials said on January 5.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the government has assigned anindependent panel of experts to review the cases and expects their findings inone or two weeks.
Assistant Health Secretary Enrique Domingo told reporters that the panel hasbeen asked to investigate the cause of the deaths and whether they are relatedto the vaccination.
More than 800,000 school children received the vaccine last year in the world'sfirst public dengue immunisation programme.
However, in November last year, Sanofi released findings of a new study thatsaid Dengvaxia could lead to severe infections for vaccinated people who caughtdengue for the first time.
The company urged the Philippine government not to suspend the vaccine's use,saying it is still safe for those who have caught dengue earlier.
However, the disclosure triggered a public furore, with some parents blamingthe vaccine for their children's deaths.
The Philippines Department of Health onDecember 1 put on hold its dengue immunisation programme at public schools.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne illness, killed more than 1,000 people in thePhilippines last year, the Health Department said.-VNA
Dengue, a mosquito-borne illness, killed more than 1,000 people in thePhilippines last year, the Health Department said.-VNA
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