(Eagle News) — The Public Attorney’s Office on Monday said that it would file criminal, civil and administrative charges in February in connection with the Dengvaxia mess.
PAO chief Persida Acosta did not say exactly against whom the charges would be filed.
She, however, said that in the civil case, included were those who “had something to do with allowing” the implementation of the immunization program.
She said said that almost 300 families whose children were given doses of the dengue vaccine expressed willingness to file the charges, which were apart from the plunder charges the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption would file, if they planned to do so.
The Dengvaxia snafu started when Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine manufacturer, admitted the substance could cause “severe cases” in those who have not had dengue before.
In its defense, the company said the information came to light only recently.
Over 800,000 schoolchildren were vaccinated with Dengvaxia under the government’s immunization program that started during then-President Benigno Aquino III’s time.