Philippines Government Investigating Dengue Immunization Program Amid Concerns Sanofi’s Vaccine Could Increase Disease Risk

New York Times: Drug Company Under Fire After Revealing Dengue Vaccine May Harm Some
“The first promising vaccine for dengue — a disease that afflicts hundreds of millions of people around the world — is in jeopardy after the Philippines suspended it, amid widespread fears about its safety and growing public anger over its use in 830,000 schoolchildren. The Philippines government has begun investigations into the rollout of the immunization program by the French drugmaker Sanofi, which has come under fire for discounting early warnings that its vaccine could put some people at heightened risk of a severe form of the disease…” (Grady et al., 12/17).

Wall Street Journal: Philippines Probes Dengue Vaccination Drive That Went Ahead Despite Warnings
“…Lawmakers last week began questioning former and current officials, doctors, public health experts, and Sanofi executives in an effort to determine, among other things, why Manila didn’t suspend the program until this month. Sanofi said the vaccine is still effective for people who have previously contracted dengue. … [Former President Benigno Aquino III] told lawmakers on Thursday that he acted in good faith when deciding to use the vaccine in a mass drive, and that no concerns had been raised directly with him. [President Rodrigo] Duterte said he welcomed the investigation by Congress. ‘If there is a failure, let them sort it out,’ he said Wednesday…” (Rana et al., 12/17).

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