By JEFFREY DAMICOG
At least two cases of deaths allegedly linked to the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia have been uncovered by the Public Attorneys Office (PAO).
PAO chief Persida Acosta identified the victims as Christine Mae de Guzman, 11, of Mariveles, Bataan and Anjielica Pestilos, 10, of Quezon City.
De Guzman, who was supposed to turn 12 yesterday, died on Oct. 15, 2016 at the Bataan provincial hospital, eight months after she was injected with the controversial vaccine.
Nelson, the victim’s father, said he had his daughter vaccinated on April 6, 2016 in Mariveles, Bataan.
“Sinabi po nila bago po saksakan magpasalamat po sa gobyerno at may libreng vaccine po,” recounted Guzman during a press conference jointly held by PAO and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). “Kung sa private raw po nasa P4,500 hanggang P5,000.”
Pestilos, on the other hand, died last Dec. 6 after getting her shot last September.
In both cases, PAO forensic laboratory chief Dr Erwin Erfe said the victims had no previous exposure to dengue.
“Sa parehong case na po ito walang previous exposure sa dengue. Pangalawa, pareho nagkaroon ng vaccination na Dengvaxia. Pangatlo po, pareho pong nagkaroon ng severe dengue,” he explained.
Though the diagnosis on the clinical abstract of Pestilos showed she suffered severe systemic lupus elythematosus, Erfe said they reviewed her clinical abstract and the pictures of her cadaver.
“Merong manifestation na severe hemorrhagic dengue itong batang ito,” he explained.
The twin deaths are expected to fuel the controversy generated by a medical advisory from Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of Dengvaxia vaccine, last November, saying the vaccine is effective for people who have had dengue prior to immunization, but poses a risk of a “severe” case of dengue for people who have not.
Acosta said PAO is ready to help Dengvaxia victims and their families.
“Handa po ang estado at ng ating gobyerno na kandaliin kayo sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa inyo by administratibo at maging pagfa-file ng kasong kriminal, kasong sibil o ano pa mang,” she said.
Acosta admitted her office is studying what complaints should be filed and who should be held liable.
“It’s not yet final,” Acosta said.
“Hindi pa finalized ang complaints at parating pa po ang iba pang mga pamilya na handang magreklamo,” said Acosta who assured Sanofi Pasteur will be held liable for the tragedies.
The PAO chief warned of a possible cover-up.
“Kumilos na ang NBI i-secure na ang mga ebidensya,” she said.
