CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Health (DOH) here has reported 17 deaths among a total of 8,435 Dengvaxia vaccinees in Central Luzon who have fallen ill and have sought medical intervention within the period November 29 last year to last April 1.
In a report titled “Adverse Events among Dengvaxia Vaccinees Surveillance Update,” the regional DOH office said 4,644 of the vaccinees experienced fever, 3, 932 had headaches, 1,998 had cough and colds, 1,753 had dizziness, and 1,432 had abdominal pains.
It reported 17 deaths, including four each in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, two each in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, and Zambales and one in Tarlac.
The report noted that of the total cases, 388 were confirmed to be dengue while 3,926 had “other diagnosis.” A total of 4,121 other cases were “not specified.”
Of the 388 dengue cases, 231 manifested as “dengue fever,” 151 were “dengue with warning signs,” and six were “severe,” the report said.It did not say, however, whether all or any of the 17 deaths resulted from dengue.
Dr. Jessie Fantone said, however, there is yet no scientific basis to link the deaths and illnesses to the Dengvaxia vaccine which was administered to some 200,000 school children in Central Luzon before, in November last year, its manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur said that the new vaccine could be harmful to those who never had history of dengue ailment. He said it would take more studies and years to establish such a link, if there is any.
The DOH report said that of the total 8,435 cases, 89 percent were “minor cases.” “The province with the highest number of reported cases was Bulacan with 1,682, followed by Pampanga with 1,653 and Zambales with 1,620,” it noted.
The DOH report said of the 8,435 vaccinees, a total of 7,495 consulted with medical personnel, and 940 were hospitalized. Of the total number, 4,365 were 11 years old, 3,237 were 12 years old, 577 were 13 and the rest were older.
