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[av_heading heading=’Ex-prez Aquino: No one vs Dengvaxia ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” 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 ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III did not know of any objection to the use of Dengvaxia when he approved the P3.5-billion purchase of the dengue vaccine for use in the government’s immunization program during his term.
“Diin ko lang po: Bago nagdesisyon ang gobyerno sa Dengvaxia, habang nagdedesisyon, pagkatapos magdesisyon at hanggang sa ngayon, walang nagparating sa akin ng pagtutol sa bakuna,” Aquino told a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing yesterday.
According to Aquino, a report from former Health secretary Enrique Ona that cases of the disease increased 1,409.5 percent in 2010 made him decide to prioritize the dengue vaccine.
“Kaya natin inilunsad ito sa (National Capital Region), Calabarzon at Central Luzon dahil ayon sa datos ng DOH (Department of Health), ito po ang tatlong pinaka-apektadong mga rehiyon noong 2015 kaugnay sa dengue,” he said.
“Kung ’di lumabas itong sinabi ng Sanofi at nagdesisyon akong hayaan na lang na magdusa pa ang mga Boss ko gayong may bakuna na, palagay ko ngayon, iba ang tanong ninyo at asunto sa akin: Bakit mo pinabayaan ang Pilipino?” he added.
Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has issued an advisory that the vaccine may lead to a severe case of dengue when administered to those who have not been infected by the virus – prompting the Health department to suspend its dengue vaccination program that already covered more than 800,000 schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, Aquino confirmed that he met with Sanofi officials in Paris in December 2015 on the sidelines of the COP21 (Conference of Parties) climate change meeting.
“Sinabi sa atin noon na ready na ang Sanofi sa bakuna. Iyong ganitong uri ng gamot maraming taon ang pinagdadaanan para masiguro talaga ang safety at efficacy,” the former chief executive said.
“Ang intindi natin sa Dengvaxia, natapos na ang local at international process ng USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) na kailangang pagdaanan nito,” he added./PN
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