DOH: Vaccine check still on

The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) continues to monitor children that received the first shot of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

Since December 1, at least 19 vaccinated children were hospitalized and were later diagnosed of dengue, according to local program coordinators.

The good news is that none of the 19 suffered from severe dengue, said DOH-7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas. In fact, with the exception of one who is still being monitored, the rest have been released from the hospital.

“DOH-7 is still on heightened surveillance. We are always monitoring these children who received the dengue vaccines. We are tracing their whereabouts even at every hospital,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Bernadas said DOH-7 is collaborating with private institutions or hospitals in keeping track of these children.

These private institutions will send a report to DOH on the status of the patient's condition.

Bernadas wants to emphasize that these children fell ill of dengue due to mosquito bite and not because of the vaccine.

Children are supposed to get three doses of the vaccine for full protection from dengue but the government's vaccination program was suspended early this month after the vaccine's developer revealed Dengvaxia poses risks to people without history of dengue.

In Cebu Province, 161,624 children received the first dose of the vaccine. Cebu was the fourth pilot area where the program was extended as dengue illness was found to be endemic here.

Bernadas said DOH-7 is almost complete with the database of the profiles of children here that received the vaccine. Those that aged nine to 14.

The database is being created so that authorities can monitor the children on the possible effects of the vaccine to their health, as well as provide early intervention.

He said the patients are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) but if not a member, the family will be assisted for enrolment.

Bernadas said that for children placed in private hospitals, DOH-7 will find a way to pay for expenses not covered by the insurance.

Those admitted in government hospitals will not have to pay anything, he said.