Dengue vaccines now available in the Philippines

(Internet photo)

MANILA – Pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur confirmed that the world’s first dengue vaccine is already available in the Philippines.

Sanofi Pasteur Country Manager Ching Santos said during the official launch of the vaccine that Dengvaxia arrived in the country last week and the doses of dengue vaccine was available since Wednesday.

Patients can now ask their doctors and asses whether they are vaccinated by dengvaxia.

The Food and Drug Administration granted the marketing approval last December, and it is the first dengue prevention vaccine licensed in Asia.

Department of Health Secretary Janette Garin said the health agency will spend a total of P3.5 billion for dengue immunization for over 3,000 public schools with high incidence of dengue, and will implement the school-based immunization for Grade 4 students in the National Capital Region, Regions 3 and 4A from April to June.