DOJ orders PAO to provide free legal assistance to families of Dengvaxia victims

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. (Photo: Jess Escaros Jr./PNA)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday has ordered the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to provide free legal assistance in civil, criminal and administrative cases to families of possible victims of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“The Public Attorney’s Office, through Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, is hereby authorized and directed to extend free legal assistance in civil, criminal and administrative cases to all possible victims of Dengvaxia related injuries, illnesses and deaths,” stated the DOJ’s Department Order No. 792 released Tuesday.

The government has earlier halted the dengue immunization program after Sanofi warned that according to a new clinical analysis, the said dengue vaccine is more harmful to individuals without prior dengue infections.

Meanwhile, PAO chief Acosta in a press conference on Tuesday along with the members Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) presented the parents of alleged victims of Dengvaxia including the 11-year-old Christine Mae De Guzman and 10-year-old Anjielica Pestilos.

Nelson De Guzman, the father of Christine, claimed that his daughter died due to severe dengue in October 2016.

“Ang sabi po nila, bago saksakan, pasalamat daw po sa gobyerno at may libreng vaccine po. Doon sa private daw po nasa P4,500 hanggang P5,000 [They told me before they vaccinated my daughter to thank the government for the free vaccine because in private clinics, the vaccine costs P4,500 to P5,000],” he said.

PAO’s forensic expert Dr. Erwin Erpe said that the agency’s forensic laboratory is already investigating the deaths of the two child victims.

‘Closely monitor children immunized with Dengvaxia’

Child advocate Senator Grace Poe earlier called the attention of the Department of Health (DOH) to monitor those children who have been immunized with the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia on possible adverse effects that may arise.

“It is important to account for children who received the vaccine amid new developments on its effects. Strict surveillance must be established to monitor any adverse effects and ensure that proper assistance will be given to those affected,” Poe emphasized.

“The DOH should focus on the kids given the shots and determine if any medical intervention is needed given the information about the vaccine’s effects,” Poe added.

The lady Senator said that the government should be ready to create a comprehensive database of people who have been injected with the said vaccine and even those who have not been infected.