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DENGVAXIA
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What is Dengvaxia?

▪ Dengue vaccine is a vaccine to prevent dengue fever in

humans. The World Health Organization only recommends the
vaccine as a possible option in areas of the world where the
disease is common. In 2017 the manufacturer recommended
that the vaccine only be used in people who have previously had
a dengue infection, as outcomes may be worsened in those who
have not been previously infected. This has caused a scandal in
the Philippines where more than 733,000 children were
vaccinated regardless of serostatus.
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Dengue Vacine Pros and Cons

▪ Dengue Virus has been a particularly difficult virus for scientists to develop a vaccine for because of
the four different types of the virus. Typically the first time a patient is infected with dengue, the
symptoms are not overly serious. However, a second infection hits the immune system far worse and
leads to hospitalizations.

▪ In a new study that was recently released, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Imperial College
London and the University of Florida re-analyzed data from the dengue vaccine trials with more than
30,000 participants from 10 different countries. They also compared long-term follow-up data on
participants and the result was not what one would hope for in a vaccine trial.

▪ It turns out that where dengue has a high transmission rate, the vaccine is 20 to 30 percent
effective. That’s the good news (although in vaccine trials, one hopes for a 30 percent effective rate).
The bad news is if it is in a low transmission rate area, the vaccine may increase illness and
hospitalizations. Researchers believe that if a patient receives the vaccine after first being infected
by dengue, the patient is then protected from that second, harsher infection. However, if the
vaccinated patient has not first been infected by dengue and is then exposed to the virus through
the vaccination, the patient reaction is much like the harsher second infection experienced by those
not vaccinated when they are naturally exposed to the virus
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Effects of Dengvaxia in the Philippines

Based on the figures released by the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, 725 children had been
hospitalized due to the adverse effects of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia from March 2016 to January
2018.More than half of them were confirmed to have contracted dengue.The DOH is also examining 26
Dengvaxia related deaths.“From March 2016 to January 19, the reported death was 21 but from this week since
last week until this week we have another of five deaths a total of 26,” said DOH Asec Ma. Francia
Laxamana.Meanwhile, experts from the UP-PGH conducted another meeting to finalize the report it will release
in line with the clinical analysis it conducted on the anti-dengue vaccine.The DOH Region 11 also calls on private
pediatricians to submit the list of their patients who received the controversial Dengvaxia.Although the region of
Davao was not part of the pilot testing area, 200 children there were vaccinated by private doctors.“What we did
was, we wrote a letter to their association, the Philippine Pediatric Society because they were the ones who did
most of the vaccinations. We call on them to give us a list of names,” said Dr. Cleo Fe M. Tabada.Meanwhile,
former Health Sec. Janette Garin has once again emphasized that she is ready to face any liabilities in case the
Dengvaxia vaccines can be proven to cause negative side effects to individuals without prior dengue infection.“Sa
parte ko naman ay paninidigan ko na ito ay deisisyon ng buong institution, ginawa namin base sa datos ng
panahon na iyon at base sabatayan na patuloy nadumarami ang nagkaka-dengue at ito ay walang gamot,”said
Garin.(For my part, I affirm that this was the decision of the whole institution. We did it based on the available
data at that time, and on the fact that the number of dengue infections was increasing, and that there was no
cure.)
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Tips on How to Prevent Dengue Fever

▪ #1: Turn over empty pails and buckets, so that they do not collect excess
water. If the container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to
cover it well when not in use.

▪ #2: Remember to clean out empty flower pots and not to over water potted
plants. It is advised to not have any stagnant water around as it acts as
breeding ground for the mosquitoes.

▪ #3: Apply mosquito repellents on all exposed areas, during the day as well as
at night on a regular basis to prevent dengue.

▪ #4: Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so,
block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes.

▪ #5: If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to not let the mosquitoes bite
them or others in the house.
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Tips on How to Prevent Dengue Fever

▪ #6: Always sleep under a mosquito net (especially small children as they
sleep during the day and hence, the chance of mosquito bite is high during
this time).

▪ #7: If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray
regularly, even when not in use.

▪ #8: Always cover your trash can or dustbin when not in use.

▪ #9: A natural method to keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant tulsi near your
window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.

▪ #10: Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a

room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about
fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.
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References

▪ amp/www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/prevent-
dengue-with-these-10-practical-tips/amp/

▪ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_vaccine

▪ https://www.untvweb.com/news/400-children-received-
dengvaxia-injection-tested-positive-dengue/