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[av_heading heading=’DENGVAXIA IN 1ST DIST.? Not true, says Garin hubby; Du3o not blaming Janette ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Was there a mass administration of Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine in the 1st District, the acknowledged bailiwick of the Garin political clan?
Not true, according to Cong. Richard Garin, husband of former Department of Health (DOH) secretary Janette Garin.
It was in April last year during his wife’s term that DOH launched an anti-dengue vaccination program in the country.
In Metro Manila yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was not about to blame the former Health secretary, noting that she apparently implemented the vaccination program “in good faith.”
“If you really think in good faith that you are doing the right thing, nobody but nobody can question you except your conscience,” said the President in a pres s briefing.
Meanwhile, Cong. Garin dismissed rumors that his family carried out Dengvaxia vaccination among schoolchildren.
“Ang istorya sa 1st District indi ina matuod,” he stressed.
According to Garin, DOH’s anti-dengue vaccination program only covered four regions and Western Visayas was not one of them. The four were the National Capital Region, Regions 3 and 4A, and 7.
“Those four regions may pinakamataas nga dengue casualties,” said the congressman.
Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, in a Nov. 29 disclosure, said post-clinical trial study of the vaccine indicated an increased risk of hospitalization for dengue and “severe” dengue for patients not previously infected by the virus, which is spread through mosquito bites.
This worried and angered parents, most especially those in the four regions.
President Duterte said he was withholding judgment on who should be held accountable for the vaccination program costing P3.5 billion.
“I cannot blame anybody. I am not prepared to condemn anybody there simply because we bought that. The amount is nothing to me…any amount that could save the Filipino, especially the children,” said the President.
Garin said he admired his wife for being strong despite the Dengvaxia controversy.
“Last week sang naggwa ang issue, napatay si tatay ‘ya. She was emotionally distressed and then sang Friday na-appendicitis pa s’ya. But she attend the Senate hearing on Dengvaxia.
What she did wala s’ya nagkaon-kaon para indi mag-function intestines ‘ya para mag-attend hearing. Right after sang Senate hearing, ti derecho kami operating room,” said Garin.
At the Senate hearing on Monday, the former DOH secretary said, “We decided (on a dengue vaccination program) based on the data available at the time with the desire to fight dengue.”
She also denied allegations of corruption surrounding the P3.4-billion vaccine procurement done during her term.
“I am not involved in any corruption and I am willing to be investigated,” said Garin.
A physician, Garin defended her conduct and a program that she said was “implemented in accordance with World Health Organization guidance and recommendations.”
“I understand the concern,” she told a television station Friday last week. “Even us, we’re also very angry when we learned about Sanofi’s announcement about severe dengue. I’m also a mother. My child was also vaccinated. I was also vaccinated.”
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Sen. Richard Gordon saw “strong signs of conspiracy” in the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine purchase, noting that it seemed like there was a hurry to procure them.
Gordon said his suspicion was fueled by reports that Garin and former President Benigno Aquino III had several meetings with officials of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and these appeared to have accelerated the procurement process months before the May 2016 national elections./PN
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