Three deaths may be linked to the vaccine anti-dengue Sanofi, says Manila

MANILA (Reuters) – The philippine authorities suspect the vaccine is controversial against dengue Sanofi (PA:SASY) to be the cause of three deaths, according to a government report.

Manila has suspended the beginning of December its national immunization program following the recommendation of the French laboratory to reserve their vaccine, Dengvaxia people who have already been exposed to the disease in the past.

“The three cases have shown a causal link. They died of dengue although they have received the Dengvaxia. Two of them are dead because of the failure of the vaccination,” said the under-secretary of Health Enrique Domingo during a press conference.

“These findings reinforce the decision of the department of Health to suspend the vaccinations. It has failed on some children. The Dengvaxia is not ready to be used in vaccination campaigns and it would take three to five years to observe and supervise if the vaccine produces other adverse effects.”

In a press release, the French laboratory is said to express its compassion to the families who have lost a child.

The philippine government had invested 3.5 billion pesos (€58.4 million) for the vaccination programme launched in 2016, which aimed to reduce the number of cases of dengue fever, currently 200,000 each year in the country.

(Manuel Mogato, Nicolas Delame for the French service)