Pass P1.16-B supplemental budget for Dengvaxia recipients, Senate told

FILE: Health Secretary Francisco Duque III answers questions from the media at the launching of the TB awareness projects and module event in Quezon City. (Photo by Joey O. Razon via PNA)

MANILA –The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged the Senate to pass the bill appropriating PHP1.16 billion as supplemental budget to aid children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Secretary Francisco Duque III made the appeal after the Upper House failed to deliberate on the bill last August 15.

“We are making an appeal in behalf of the children vaccinated with Dengvaxia who are the intended beneficiaries of this supplemental budget. We are urging our honorable senators to pass the Senate version of the bill,” Duque said in a news release issued Wednesday.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has certified as urgent the bill granting the DOH supplemental budget to finance the medical assistance to Dengvaxia recipients.

The House of Representatives in May approved on third and final reading House Bill 7449, which is the House version of the proposed supplemental budget.

The amount represents the money refunded by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine manufacturer, to the DOH for the unused Dengvaxia vaccines returned by the pharmaceutical firm.

“The entire amount of PHP1.16 billion will be used exclusively to fund efforts to improve the situation of children vaccinated with Dengvaxia,” Duque said.

More than PHP945.8 million will be allocated for the medical assistance program for Dengvaxia vaccinees seeking treatment, either confined at a hospital or outpatient. Around PHP148.3 million will be spent in the assessment and monitoring of Dengvaxia vaccinees and for supplies and medicines. Some PHP67.6 million will be used in the deployment of health workers, who will follow up on complaints of vaccinees.

“While the Senate version of the bill is still pending, the DOH is stretching its resources to attend to the needs of the vaccinees. We want to inform the Senate that every day that passes is crucial in delivering the best health outcomes for the vaccinees,” Duque said.

“We are hopeful that our senators will listen to our pleas and will approve their version of the bill the soonest possible time,” he added.