Dr. Ng Su Peing

Sanofi officials scrambled to ease the panic it had set off when it advised against prescribing Dengvaxia to people who have not had dengue in the past since it may cause severe diseases in the long run. They said it was part of the government’s health program, and not a clinical trial. The vaccine was released commercially because clinical data at the time showed it was safe and effective, and hence, Filipinos were not guinea pigs, they said. “In highly dengue-endemic areas, there are far fewer cases, significantly fewer cases of severe dengue and dengue hospitalizations in those who’ve been vaccinated against those who didn’t receive the vaccine,” said Sanofi global medical head Ng Su Peing. The WHO denied recommending Dengvaxia to the Philippines for its immunization program.