Workers spray water-based insecticides in a community at Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City on August 22, 2024, to combat mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — A group of doctors urged the government on Tuesday to grant access to dengue vaccines as cases of the disease rise.

In a letter drafted for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine Medical Association said that while it appreciates government efforts like the 5S strategy (search and destroy; self protection;  seek early consultation; support fogging and spraying when needed; and support hydration), dengue continues to be a public health concern which, in 2024, affected 380,000 individuals and claimed 881 lives.

“We need to consider other innovative strategies available to address dengue. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a multi-pronged approach to dengue prevention and control that includes dengue immunization aside from vector control and clinical management,” the letter read.

The group reiterated that while the dengue vaccine in particular sparked doubts and hesitancy when it was distributed to Filipino children in 2018, it explained that there are new generation vaccines in the market or those already in the 3rd phase of clinical trials.

It identified Japanese-made TAK003 as among these new vaccines which has been given a license in over 40 countries including Brazil, Indonesia and the European Union.

“TAK003 has been recommended by the WHO for dengue prevention in highly endemic countries like the Philippines. This vaccine has pending application with the Philippine FDA since April 2023.”

Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Director Dr. Lulu Bravo says, while the 2018 fiasco became a major setback to promoting life-saving vaccines, a lot of lessons were learned and can be used for the better management and administration of potential dengue vaccines.

“Huwag munang maramihan, siguro. Siguro ang gawin natin, yun lang gusto. Tapos makikita nung iba na, aba, maganda naman pala, e, ba't hindi natin gamitin? Parang ganun lang. Kasi ganun ang unti-unti natin na i-introduce,” she said.

Bravo explains dengue has been present in the country for seven decades. Despite goals of reducing cases and fatalities, if not completely eliminating the disease, dengue continues to claim lives, thereby requiring more comprehensive strategies to effectively curb the rise in infections.

“Kulang ang ating mga effective controls for dengue. We try to do something para mawala yung mga tawag nating breeding sites for mosquitoes. Pero hindi mapigil ang climate change. Meron ng mga bagong generation ng dengue vaccine that we can use. And hopefully, ito ang magiging daan upang makontrol talaga yung dengue and even WHO has said so.” Bravo said.

Dengue, an endemic disease in the Philippines, has brought fresh concerns following Quezon City’s declaration of an outbreak due to rising cases. Eight other areas throughout NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon are also said to be experiencing a rise in infections.

READ: DOH reports 'concerning rise' of dengue cases in 9 LGUs

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