(Eagle News) – Former Health Secretary Janette Garin on Monday said the Department of Health at that time was only looking after the welfare of Filipinos when it decided to procure the controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
“The (DOH) is a department of dedicated professionals motivated by nothing more to address severe public health problem posed by dengue,” she said during the joint hearing of the Senate public health and blue ribbon committees on the Dengvaxia snafu.
She said when she heard about Sanofi’s statement several weeks ago, she too was “surprised.”
She said she called up her counterparts in countries where the vaccine was used and found that they reacted differently.
She said the 19 other countries did not suspend the use of Dengvaxia.
“Dapat talagang magsalita ang international and local experts. We are hoping international medical experts will soon clear the air..,” she said, adding that she was “not pointing fingers at anyone.”