Duque defends past admin’s decision to use Dengvaxia

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday defended the decision of the Aquino administration to use Dengvaxia in its dengue vaccination program.

At the Provincial Dengue Summit in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, Duque told local government and health workers that he believes the previous administration did not foresee the problems that may arise as a result of the vaccination program, according to a report on Balitanghali by Chino Gaston.

However, he said if it were up to him, he would not have pushed for the vaccination of that big a number of recipients.

Former President Benigno Aquino III may have been given the wrong advice, he said.

"Sa tingin ko, dapat na magsilbi ito na leksyon. Sa tingin ko, minadali ito ng nakaraang administrasyon. Sa tingin ko hindi naman nila hangarin na makapagbibigay ito ng perwisyo. Sa tingin ko po nabigyan ng maling abiso ang dating Pangulong Aquino," Duque said.

He added that the vaccination program began in April 2016, just a few weeks before the May 2016 elections. "Baka naging malabo ang kanilang isip, pagpapasya at pagsasagawa ng Dengvaxia program dahil malaking populasyon at bilang ng estudyante ang kanilang pinaplano na turukan ng Dengvaxia—one million," Duque said.

"Madalas ko pong sabihin na kung ako po ang secretary ng DOH [Department of Health] nu'n ay hindi ko po papayagan na turukan ang malaking bilang ng estudyante. It is always good to err on the side of caution. Hindi na bale na magkamali ako, basta nasa panig ng kaligtasan lalo na kung ang mga bata, ang buhay nila ang nakasalalay," he added.

Duque said this problem should serve as a lesson and should not be repeated. "Kaya dapat hindi na ito maulit pa ang ganitong pangyayari. Kaya kami ay nandito para nang sa gayon ay magbigay liwanag sa isyu na ito."

The DOH earlier said that at least 830,000 public school students have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Cebu.

The vaccination program was put on hold following Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur's advisory that the vaccine should not be given to patients who have not had dengue in the past as it may cause severe diseases in the long run.

Sanofi Pasteur has since been fined P100,000 and its Dengvaxia registration certificate suspended.

Meanwhile, the deaths of 14 children who were given Dengvaxia vaccine are being investigated. —KG, GMA News