Why Dengvaxia issue should not deter COVID-19 vaccination

The Dengvaxia vaccine controversy must not discourage the public from getting COVID-19 jabs, a pediatrician said, stressing that the COVID-19 vaccine underwent thorough study and followed safety precautions before being administered to children.

Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, pediatric infectious diseases expert, said she understands the worries of the parents and guardians who want to protect their children from danger.

“Nakakalungkot, kasi ang tagal tagal na nitong usapin ng Dengvaxia hindi siya mawalawala and I know nagmumula rin ito sa pag-iingat ng mga magulang. Ganoon naman talaga ang takbo ng ating isip bilang parent and of course pediatricians as healthcare professionals ayaw natin mapunta sa delikado o sa panganib ang mga bata,” Lim, who is also a member of Department of Health – Technical Advisory Group, said on The Mangahas Interviews.

(It was sad, because this Dengvaxia issue has been going on for a long time and won't go away. I know parents were also worried for their children. That is also exactly the way we think, as parents and healthcare professionals we don't want our children to be in danger.)

She noted that dengue vaccines were continuously being used in other countries and that there were no reported problems from those who got them.

"Wala naman tayong nababalitaan na nagkakaroon sila ng problema sa tuluyang paggamit ng bakunang ito. In terms of actual safety record walang issues, for so long as tama 'yung pagkaka-identify ng grupo ng pasyente na dapat tumanggap ng bakunang ito,” she added.

(We don't have any reports or problems with the continuous use of this vaccine. In terms of actual safety record, there are no issues as long as we identify the correct group of patients who should be getting this.)

The Dengvaxia controversy arose in November 2017 when manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur announced that the vaccine may lead to more severe symptoms of dengue for those who have never been infected by the virus prior to vaccination.

As a result, the Department of Health stopped the school-based dengue immunization program and proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte a panel of Asian health experts that will look into safety issues raised against the vaccine.

Several parents have since blamed the deaths of their children to the dengue vaccine and filed criminal complaints against government officials responsible for the immunization program. Many of the cases are now in court, more are pending with prosecutors.

Lim said medical experts have conducted safety precautions in giving vaccines to the children, adding that they have “learned and fixed the system.”

“Ngayon kitang-kita naman natin hindi lang doble kung hindi triple yung pag-iingat natin sa pagbibigay ng gamot sa bata, na vaccines rather for children,” she said.

(Now we can see that we are taking triple precautions in giving medicine and vaccines to our children.)

“So I hope na makita rin natin na matapos dumaan yung kontrobersiya yung pagbabakuna ng programang iyon, marami na tayong natutunan at naiayos sa sistema,” she added.

(So I hope after we saw the controversy over the vaccination program, we learned something and we are able to fix the system.)

The pilot rollout of COVID-19 vaccination for five to 11 years old in the country started in the National Capital Region on Monday, February 7.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also asked the parents to help the government spread awareness about the pediatric vaccination and encourage other parents who are hesitant to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19.—LDF, GMA News