DOH official to parents: Boost Dengvaxia kids’ immune system

An official of the Department of Health (DOH) has said parents should boost the immune system of their children who have been given the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH regional director in Calabarzon, issued the statement as he told parents during a Dengvaxia forum held in Imus, Cavite on Sunday last week that the department has yet to conclude its investigations into the deaths of children who have been given the controversial dengue vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

"While waiting for results, as parents, we have to do something to boost our children's immune system by giving them immunity-boosting phytonutrients such as vitamin C, fruits and vegetables, including adequate sleep," Janairo said.

He said that although dengue kits distributed by the DOH come with Vitamin C and multivatiamins, parents should make sure that their vaccinated children should have "well-balanced meals and sufficient fluid intakes like water, soup and juices."

The DOH said at least 830,000 public schoolchildren were vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

It added that Calabarzon is the second region with the most number of schoolchildren vaccinated with Dengvaxia following the National Capital Region.

The DOH said a total of 2,674 schools in Calabarzon participated in the government's dengue vaccination program, which was rolled out in April 2016.

It said a total of 158,520 children in the region received the first dose; 129,176 received the second dose; and 112,659 completed the third dose while a total of 4,261 children were administered with Dengvaxia in community-based vaccinations.

Meanwhile, the DOH said a total of 5,310 dengue cases have been recorded in Calabarzon from January 1 to March 31 this year and the most number of cases or a total of 1,937 with 34 deaths were recorded in Cavite. —ALG, GMA News