Duterte open to reviving Dengvaxia program

MANILA, Philippines — Saying he prefers to err on the side of science, President Duterte is open to the resumption of the government’s Dengvaxia vaccination program to avert the national dengue epidemic that has so far claimed 622 lives across the country since January.

“Yes, I am open to the use of Dengvaxia again. Maraming patay ’yan (there are so many deaths). It’s an epidemic,” Duterte said in an interview after leading the oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted star rank generals at Malacañang last night.  

“If nobody would believe me, still I would say that if there’s anything there in Western medicine and even itong mga herbal ng oriental (these oriental herbs), if it could mean saving people’s lives, I’ll go for it,” he said.

While the vaccination program was suspended due to a number of deaths in 2017 blamed on Dengvaxia, Duterte said he could not allow more lives to be put at risk because of the disease caused by mosquito-borne viral infection.

“That’s why I’m in a quandary whether to allow Dengvaxia or not. Ako (me)? I’d rather err on the side of science,” he said.

The President has said his daughter, Veronica, got Dengvaxia shots, which is why he is in favor of providing vaccines for the children.

“So ’yung gustong magpabakuna… Kasi ang anak ko nagkaroon – dumaan ng vaccine eh. She’s – she had a vaccination,” he said.

Apart from his daughter with his partner Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte’s granddaughter Sabina, a daughter of former Davao City vice mayor and now Rep. Paolo Duterte, was also administered the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Duterte said it is better to see how the government can stop the epidemic.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque early this week declared a national dengue outbreak after recording  146,062 cases of the disease from January through July 20 this year, 98 percent more than the same period last year. The statistics represent roughly 5,036 cases every week.

Duterte banned the Dengvaxia vaccine two years ago after French manufacturer Sanofi reported that it could cause severe effects on patients not previously exposed to the virus.

“Now compare it with – vis-à-vis with those who died, I want to hear the words of the experts, doctors,” the President said.

He said he wants to get the reports from the country’s top medical and science experts on the matter.