MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau)- Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the Duterte government is open to bringing back the controversial vaccine Dengvaxia if it will help curb the increasing cases of Dengue in the country.
Panelo made the statement after Iloilo 1st District Representative and former Health Secretary Janette Garin said the recent dengue outbreak in the country could have been prevented by the discontinued Dengvaxia vaccination drive.
Garin and her former boss President Noynoy Aquino were highly criticized for the botched Dengue vaccination program which allegedly resulted in the death of over a hundred school kids.
Now, Aquino, Garin and current Health Secretary Enrique Duque have agreed to be vaccinated with Dengvaxia, along with their families, to prove that the Sanofi-manufactured vaccine is safe.
No less than Sanofi had admitted that Dengvaxia, while safe to use on those who previously had Dengue, can pose some serious consequences for those who have never had the disease.
Aquino and Garin also urged Opposition Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros and Franklin Drilon and their families to get vaccinated with Dengvaxia as a way of “leadership by example.”