While effective vaccines exist, experts said that their impact will remain "unrealized" when not administered to the intended recipients.

"Vaccines do not save lives, vaccination saves lives," said Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Eric Tayag as he highlighted the distinction between vaccines and vaccination during the "Dialogue on Dengue: Protecting Our Children from the Epidemic" conference on Feb. 2.

In the Philippines, Tayag noted that the efforts are directed towards building confidence to overcome "vaccine hesitancy" --- especially amid the controversies hounding the dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.

New dengue vaccine

During the event, the discussion also centered around the new dengue vaccine.

"We have new vaccines for dengue, so we are hoping that we will have it soon. I don't have complete information whether they have applied or if it's being reviewed by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration],” Tayag said in Filipino.

He also stressed the DOH’s openness to advancements but noted the need for thorough studies, citing past experiences influencing a cautious approach to new vaccines.

“Ito ay aming tinitignan mabuti sapagkat may responsibilidad kami na kung ito man ay ire-re-introduce namin, ang aming prinsipyo ay 'first do no harm,” he said.

Meanwhile, vaccine expert and former Dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila College of Public Health Nina Gloriani shed light on the Dengvaxia vaccine and the question of whether the DOH is confident enough already to introduce a new vaccine for dengue again.

"Despite the issues with Dengvaxia, we still look at improvements in these new vaccines—are they safe? Are they more effective? So we're examining all of these,” she explained.

“Mino-monitor pa naming itong mabuti kasi we wanted to know kung anong meron dito sa bagong bakunang ito at anong klaseng mga technology ang ginagamit dito, is this is really for everyone? (We are still closely monitoring this because we want to understand what this vaccine has and what kind of technology is being used. Is this really for everyone?)" she added.

Public collaboration in dengue prevention and control

Moreover, the discussion also touched upon the role of different sectors, including local government units (LGUs), the private sector, and the media, in a comprehensive approach to dengue prevention.

UP Manila College of Public Health Dean and Center Director Vicente Belizario, Jr. underscored the multifaceted responsibilities in public health.

He emphasized the importance of educating future healthcare providers about dengue prevention and instilling a sense of responsibility in the community.

“Ang dengue ay hindi pa malapit ma-eliminate. Control and prevention pa tayo dito, pangungunahan ng DOH, pero tulungan natin ito kasama ang LGU at mga mamamayan to raise awareness (With dengue, we are still in the phase of control and prevention, led by the DOH. Let's collaborate with the Local Government Units (LGU) and community to enhance awareness),” Belizario noted.

In terms of the expert's responsibility, he said: "We academics teach in schools; let's impart this knowledge about it to future healthcare providers because they will be facing patients and communities in the future and society."

Moreover, health officials emphasized a holistic approach and continuous monitoring of advancements. They also highlighted the importance of a shift in societal attitudes to effectively combat, and eventually eliminate, the challenges posed by dengue.