Mom of child who had Dengvaxia asks Garin: Nakakatulog pa ba kayo nang mahimbing?

Iris Alpay, a mother whose child was injected by the Dengvaxia vaccine, on Monday expressed her disappointment to former health officials responsible for its procurement.
"Sa mga taong behind this vaccine, especially former Secretary [Janette] Garin, gusto ko lang po ring tanungin sa kanya kung nakakatulog pa ba siya ng mahimbing kasi kami po ay hindi na," she said during a Senate hearing.

"Gusto ko rin pong ipalabas ang frustration ko sa government," she added.

Alpay's child was one of the 830,000 children inoculated against dengue with the Dengvaxia vaccine. The vaccine has been recalled as its manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur said it can cause severe dengue to those who have not been affected by dengue in the past.

 

"Ako po ay I trusted so much with the government especially DOH [Department of Health] dahil naniniwala po ako na ito po ay 'yung mandate ay para lang po sa kapakanan sa health, lalo ng mga entire citizen ng Pilipinas po. Pero ako po ay sobrang na-disappoint dahil mismong ang ahensya niyo ang mismong nagpapahamak sa aming mga anak," she said.

Alpay also expressed her disappointment to current government officials, as parents were not informed by the DOH regarding the recent development.

 

For his part, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he called Alpay personally to address her concerns.

He also said the DOH has already formed a special committee to address concerns regarding Dengvaxia. It has also put up hotlines 711-1001 and 711-1002 specifically for dengue concerns.

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Source: gmanetwork.com