GenSan monitors kids given anti-dengue shot

Dr. Shahrir Dulduco, DOH-SarGen head, said the move is in line with a directive issued by their central office for the monitoring and surveillance of children who received the Dengvaxia. (shutterstock)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY— Health personnel here have started accounting for children who were vaccinated with the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia by private doctors.

In a public health advisory, the Department of Health (DOH)-Sarangani/General Santos (SarGen) provincial office advised parents whose children were given with the vaccine to report the matter to the City Health Office’s epidemiology and surveillance unit (CESU).

Dr. Shahrir Dulduco, DOH-SarGen head, said the move is in line with a directive issued by their central office for the monitoring and surveillance of children who received the Dengvaxia.

“We need to monitor all those vaccinated. So everyone who got the vaccine, whether they have history of (dengue) infection or not, should be brought to the CESU for profiling,” he said.

French firm Sanofi Pasteur, the Dengvaxia manufacturer, earlier announced that the vaccine might have adverse effects on children who have not yet contracted the dengue virus.

DOH has already terminated the dengue vaccination program and, through the Food and Drug Administration, ordered the pullout of the vaccine from the market.

Dulduco reiterated that the agency had not conducted immunization activities for dengue in any part of Region 12 as it was not identified as among the priority areas.

But he acknowledged that there were children in this city and the neighboring areas who received the vaccine through private clinics and hospitals.

The vaccine was given in three doses in six-month intervals, with each costing between P4,000 to P5,000.

The official said they have been closely coordinating with local health offices for the proper monitoring of these cases.

“We, at the DOH, are very willing to help all those affected,” he said.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, CESU head, said it is important for children who received the anti-dengue vaccine to be properly profiled and monitored.

Through the measure, she said they would be able immediately track down possible cases of dengue among vaccinated children and report it to the DOH central office.

“This way, we can also provide proper interventions to those infected,” she said.

Dulduco added that children who have history of vaccination should get immediate treatment at nearest health facilities if they experience possible dengue symptoms, especially fever.

“This is to ensure their proper assessment and provision of early and prompt treatment in case they have dengue,” he said.