A primary student is given a Dengvaxia vaccine shot in Marikina, western Manila, in April 2016 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines said ithas suspended use of Dengvaxia vaccine against dengue virus after itsmanufacturer warned it could worsen the disease in some cases.
The Philippines said on December 1 that in thelight of a new analysis by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, the Departmentof Health will place the dengue vaccination programme on hold while reviewand consultation are ongoing with experts, key stakeholders, and the WorldHealth Organisations.
The statement was made two days after Sanofi hadrevealed a new study which confirmed Dengvaxia's benefits for those whohad prior infection. However, the dengue vaccine could lead to more severesymptoms for people who had not previously been infected.
Sanofi had initially said its Dengvaxia vaccinewas "critical" in the fight against dengue, the world's mostcommon mosquito-borne virus.
The Philippines has vaccinated more than 700,000children with Dengvaxia since 2016 when it became the first country tostart using it on a mass scale.
The country had not yet received reports ofany problems with Dengvaxia among those who received the vaccine.
More than 1,000 people in the Philippines diedfrom dengue last year, out of more than 211,000 suspected cases, accordingto the Philippine Government.-VNA
VNA
