More Dengvaxia Deaths? Sanofi To Retrieve Remaining Stocks

The controversial Dengvaxia antidengue vaccine draws more concerns with the alleged deaths of five more children. Department of Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo states that officials are currently studying the records of the five children. In light of the recent events, Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has announced they will withdraw unused stocks of the vaccine. They also agreed to reimburse 1.1 billion pesos worth of vaccines within two days of the retrieval.

Five New Dengvaxia Cases, Sanofi retrieves stocks

Department of Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo stated that agency officials are currently investigating the five suspected Dengvaxia deaths according to a report by GMA. He added that the DOH is coordinating with several hospitals to retrieve the records of the five children. “Once we’ve completed the records of these five patients, we will study [if they had taken Dengvaxia],” Domingo said.

Rising concerns over the Dengvaxia vaccine have also led anti-crime advocates to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to take action. Chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Dante Jimenez urged the president to place Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calbarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) under a state of emergency. These regions contain 830,000 cases where people have been given Dengvaxia. “At this time we need the cooperation of all government agencies. The health of thousands of children are at stake here,” Jimenez said as reported by the Manila Times.

Sanofi Retrieves Dengvaxia Stocks

Drug manufacturer Sanofi promised on Monday to reimburse an estimated P 1,187,815,000 worth of vaccines within two days of retrieval. They will also clear warehouses of any leftover Dengvaxia stock, starting with 1,187,815 doses from DOH warehouses in Regions IV-A and III. Retrieval of vaccines from Region VII will begin Monday.

Currently, Sanofi only promised to pay the cost of unused vaccines. However, the question if they can reimburse the 3 billion pesos worth of vaccines promised in their contract with the DOH remains up in the air.