Dengvaxia did not reach Palawan, assures local health office

FILE: The Department of Health’s (DOH) dengue vaccination program which used the controversial Dengvaxia did not reach Palawan. (Shutterstock)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Department of Health’s (DOH) dengue vaccination program which used the controversial Dengvaxia did not reach Palawan.

This was assured Monday morning in a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) by Dr. Peter Hew Curameng, chief of DOH provincial office in Palawan.

“We have nothing to worry about the adverse effects of Dengvaxia because the dengue vaccination program did not reach us. Palawan was not one of the pilot areas simply because its cases were low compared to other areas in the country,” said Curameng.

Although the number of dengue cases in Palawan at 1,401 from January to November 1, 2015 topped the list as the highest in the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Region, it was still low-slung compared to provinces in other regions.

“High awareness about the dengue virus has even lowered the cases in the following years. So, we’re not a priority for the use of Dengvaxia,” he added.

Dengvaxia manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur admitted that recipients of the vaccine but have not suffered from the dengue virus previously can suffer adverse effects.

“I may not have the figures, but this year, if I am right, dengue cases are down. The requests made to me to help were low. This year, only Busuanga has slightly high dengue cases,” Curameng said.