THE Department of Health has no immediate plan to expand its free dengue inoculation program to other regions of the country because the vaccination program is still being monitored by international experts.
Since the Philippines is the first Asian country to use Dengvaxia in a public health program, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said she invited experts to join the monitoring team for the successful evaluation of the vaccine’s efficacy.
Ubial said the DOH has already inoculated more than 489,003 eligible children with the first dose in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the National Capital Region.
The program was originally meant to cover one million students from the three identified regions but only 489,003 availed of the first dose last April. The second dose will be given after six months and the third at 12 months.
Ubial said, however, that the DOH continues to implement other measures to prevent rising cases of dengue in Calabarzon, Cordillera Autonomous Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region.
She noted that effective dengue control requires concerted community efforts that will eliminate mosquito breeding sites and reducing mosquito population through integrated mosquito control.Ӭ
She said the DOH is monitoring vaccine efficacy because of earlier reports that the current dengue vaccine has less than 50 percent protection against dengue serotypes 1 and 2, which are the most common circulating serotypes in the country.
“Previous infection prior to vaccination and circulating serotypes affect vaccine efficacy,” Ubial said.”¨
The public is advised to intensify household measures with local government initiatives. Local governments are likewise advised against indiscriminate fogging or space spraying. Those with fever are advised to consult early.
The health chief added that hospitals should establish dengue express lanes to prevent overcrowding. Not all dengue patients will need hospitalization. A good number can be observed and managed at home.