With the 68 percent rise of dengue cases, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president Dakila ‘Dax’ Cua called on the government to procure the new dengue vaccine.
Cua issued the message after the Department of Health (DOH) announced that there were 208,965 dengue cases in the Philippines from January to September 6, which is an upswing from the 124,157 record in the same period last year.
“We are facing an alarming rise in dengue cases already. It is high-time we procure the vaccines that could help prevent Filipino children from being infected with dengue," Cua said.
The DOH also noted a 25 percent increase in dengue cases in August compared to July.
“Cases are on an uptrend, showing a 25-percent increase from August 4 to 17, with 36,335 from 29,021 cases reported from July 21 to August 3,” the DOH said in a statement.
“All regions except Mimaropa, Bicol, Zamboanga peninsula and Bangsamoro showed an increase in dengue cases from August 4 to 17, the DOH added.
With the current dengue scare, Cua urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately act on the certificate of product registration for the QDENGA vaccine of the Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals, which the company applied for last year.
"I am sure that the FDA is only being prudent to ensure that the QDENGA vaccine will be safe for our children. But at the same time, we have to recognize the urgency of the matter as more and more children are endangered because of dengue, that's why I hope that the FDA announces the results of its study as soon as possible," Cua lamented.
The ULAP chief also emphasized the need to rectify people's behavior towards vaccines.
"The scare over dengue vaccines in the past has turned out to be unfounded, but the negative effect that vaccine hesitancy has had on our overall vaccination efforts is still being felt today," Cua emphasized.
Cua pointed out that the steep decline of public trust in vaccines due to the Dengvaxia controversy has since led to a measles outbreak and the resurgence of polio in 2019.
"Panahon na para labanan ang misinformation tungkol sa mga bakuna, na sa halip na magdadala ng panganib ay talagang mabisa sa pagkontra ng sakit (It is time to fight the misinformation about vaccines, that instead of bringing dangers, are effective against diseases),’’ Cua continued.