Despite an outbreak that has already killed hundreds, the Philippines continue to resist a dengue vaccine linked to the deaths of several children. The vaccine, developed by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, was banned after several major health risks were found. Officials have considered its use despite ongoing criminal investigations.
In 2015, the Philippines became the first Asian country to approve Sanofi’s dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia. The Philippine Department of Health launched a campaign to introduce the vaccine, during which over 700,000 people received at least one dose. The drug was approved for children aged 9 or older.
But in late 2017, the vaccination program was suspended due to concerns that the vaccine was making the disease worse in some cases. A few days later, Sanofi released a statement reporting concerns that the vaccine could make dengue infection worse in recipients who had not had the disease before. They categorically denied using the Filipino population as “guinea pigs” to test their vaccine.
Sanofi was ordered to stop selling, distributing, or marketing Dengvaxia, but the problems were even worse. After congressional inquiries and criminal charges brought against former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin, and other officials, The Philippine Department of Justice indicted officials from both Sanofi and the Philippine Health Department.
The DOJ said that at least 10 deaths had been linked to Dengvaxia, even though Sanofi insisted that it was “safe and effective.”