(Eagle News) — Senator JV Ejercito on Friday called for a Senate investigation into the government’s procurement of the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Ejercito made the appeal following a statement from the vaccine manufacturer Sanofi that those who were “not previously infected by dengue virus” but were vaccinated “upon a subsequent dengue infection” could, “in the longer term,” develop “more cases of severe disease.”
Ejercito said since the issue was about “corruption and accountability,” the blue ribbon committee should act as the primary panel investigating such, with the committee on health acting as “secondary” one.
Dr. Tony Leachon, a health reform advocate, has said the government spent P3.5 billion for the vaccine.
Sanofi said that Dengvaxia, however, “provides persistent protective benefit against dengue fever in those who had prior infection.”