For the dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, it is the opposite to the tag line, 'benefit outweighs harm', often used in vaccines and medications. On 29 Nov 17, Sanofi-Pasteur, the French pharmaceutical giant which is the manufacturer of the vaccine, made a shocking declaration - 'Sanofi updates information on dengue vaccine'. The statement is ambiguous, self-contradictory, and seems more of a damage-control exercise.
The Sanofi-Pasteur statement on 29 Nov 17, from the 6-years clinical data, highlighted two points:
- Dengvaxia provides persistent benefit against dengue fever in those who had prior infection.
- For those not previously infected by dengue virus, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection.
Dissecting the Sanofi-Pasteur's statement and to help the laymen better understand this important health subject matter, Patriots would like to make the following comments:
First, recovery from infection by one dengue virus provides lifelong immunity against that particular virus serotype. There are in total four serotypes for dengue. A person can only get dengue maximum of four times. But the serotype found to be most common was the DENV-3, of which the vaccine was suppose to give protection. Hence, it is dishonesty of the pharmaceutical giant to claim credit for what the Almighty has intended.
Second, for those who are seronegative, meaning never been infected by any of the four serotype, and if given the dengue vaccine and later on infected with dengue, one could produce a more severe disease condition than otherwise not given the vaccine. This lays the argument for harm outweighing benefit.
As early as September 2016 there have been reports of more hospitalization for severe adverse events due to the administration of Dengvaxia. Despite alarm bells, our MoH in November 2016 proceeded to grant a two-year conditional registration approval for Phase IV clinical trials (Bernama, 3 Dec 17). Phase IV clinical trial is meant for testing of the product on healthy males before full-scale marketing is allowed.
We urged the MoH, especially those officials responsible for drugs and vaccines registration to be extra vigilant and seriously study research documents prior to their approval. The health of our people ranks supreme and officials on government payroll owe it to the people to execute their responsibilities well.
We would like to take this opportunity to ask MoH what has been the outcome of the project to release genetically engineered mosquito at Pulau Ketam since three years ago, to control dengue.
Reference article from:
https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/404363
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/12/05/patriots-association-warns-against-dengue-vaccine/
BG Dato Mohd Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President - Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
