This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
The Philippines has been grappling with a severe dengue outbreak, with a 98% increase in cases from last year, resulting in 662 deaths as of July 20.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque announced a 'national dengue epidemic' and attributed the surge in cases to the mosquito-borne disease.
Manila banned the sale, import, and distribution of the Dengvaxia vaccine in February 2019, following the deaths of several dozen children who received the vaccine in a government immunization campaign in 2016 and 2017.
Despite an appeal from French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi, the government has ruled out using the vaccine to combat the ongoing epidemic, citing concerns over its effectiveness and cost.
According to the World Health Organization, the vaccine is approved for use in individuals aged nine and older, but Duque stated that it does not address the most vulnerable group, children aged 5-9.
The WHO also advised against using the vaccine as a response to an outbreak, citing its high cost of approximately Ksh. 2000 per dose.
As the Philippines continues to battle the dengue outbreak, Health Secretary Duque has called on citizens to take part in efforts to 'search and destroy mosquito breeding sites'.
