admin • April 10, 2018 • 5367

MANILA, Philippines — After the series of Senate hearings on the controversial Dengvaxia immunization program in the country, the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (WHO-SAGE) gradually revised their report and recommendation on the Dengvaxia vaccine.

WHO wants to clarify the use, efficacy and the intended recipients of Dengvaxia.

According to Dr. Gundo Weiler, representative of WHO-Philippines, the revised report and recommendation may be released in the next quarter of 2018.

“The SAGE came out with detailed question and answer document, to contextualize this original position paper and then the next step will be to revise the position paper itself.

WHO has stated that Dengvaxia cannot be given to children who are seronegative or those without prior dengue infection.

‘They have already changed by virtue of the question and answer document in which the SAGE group, confirmed that they would recommend using the vaccine only if there has been evidence for previous infection or exposure to dengue for a vaccine. This is already the new recommendations,” said Weiler.

In 2016, the WHO released its position paper regarding the use of Dengvaxia but they have to revise it to make it clear to the public.

WHO advised the public to cooperate in dengue prevention control and immediately seek doctor’s advise once an individual experiences symptoms of dengue to prevent acquiring a severe infection of the disease.

This is part of the preventive measures that will be taken while there is still no anti-dengue vaccine available for the public. — Aiko Miguel | UNTV News & Rescue