Sen. JV Ejercito, chair of the senate committee on health, wants a thorough probe on the (mis) use of the Sanofi anti-dengue vaccine which has created quite a stir that could open a Pandora’s box.
More than 700,00 school children were already immunized when pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur announced that the vaccine could worsen the disease in those not previously exposed to the infection.
In a radio interview, the senator from the city of San Juan said personalities involved in the purchase and application of the French-manufactured medicine will be summoned accordingly.
The Ejercito health committee is the secondary panel that will jointly investigate the brouhaha. The Blue-Ribbon Committee will take the lead role in the senate inquiry whose chair is the talkative senator Richard Gordon.
Ejercito said if it would necessitate the summoning of ex-President Noynoy Aquino, then so be it. “If the committee finds any solid grounds to subpoena the former president, then we will do it so that he can shed light on the issue.”
Understandably, parents of the concerned school children are all howling in protest because of the probability that, instead of taking a cure, their children’s health and welfare have been put in jeopardy.
Finger pointing by partisans that are exploiting the panic is the normal order of the day. The architect/s of Dengvaxia, ideally, should face the music.
The story goes around that Sanofi officials were able to talk with PNoy in 2015 in Paris. From there, how the negotiations went and how the deal was ironed out before the Aquino government bowed out in 2016 have become hot topics in coffeeshop talks.
Ejercito said former health Secretary Janet Garin who was reportedly involved in the initial phase of the immunization, has expressed willingness to appear but because of a sudden death in the family, she would be allowed some kind of privacy during her period of grief.
Sanofi has denied that they treated Filipino school children as guinea pigs. It pointed out that the vaccine was released after clinical studies in a number of countries in Asia and South America, and after securing approval and licensing from the Food and Drug Administration.
The World Health Organization however refused to endorse Dengvaxia until after experts have made a conclusive opinion.
What is agonizingly pestering is the fact that the DOH undertook the massive vaccination campaign despite reservations made by health experts and health personnel.
There are reports that former DOH Sec. Pauline Ubial expressed reservations on the use of Dengvaxia but the vaccination was continued in the Duterte administration because of rumored pressure from some members of the House of Representatives.
While the public expects a lengthy senate probe before a conclusive finding can be arrived at, angry sectors are inclined to think that some monkey business has occurred because of the huge P3.5B financial transaction taken from taxpayers’ money.
This is condemnable, to say the least.
The reasonable suggestion is for Sanofi to return the money paid for by the Philippine government which I do not see to have a calming effect because of the threats hovering over the heads of the affected 700,000 plus school children.
Returning the money cannot guarantee the health hazards the children went through and the agony of their parents will be positively reversed.
Should not some people go to jail for this atrocious impunity?
Should not the entire Filipino nation rise up as one and ask for justice in behalf of the 700,00 plus innocent school children who are now fidgeting and whose young lives are in danger of getting snuff out?
Tapang at Malasakit should lead the way. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Heb.12:28. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
