Former Health Secretary Garin charged over Dengvaxia mess anew

Charges filed vs 38 others following death of 12-year-old girl 

(Eagle News)—The parents of a 12-year-old girl who died after being administered the Dengvaxia vaccine filed on Friday, Dec. 28, charges against former Health Secretary Janette Garin.

The complaint filed by Christopher and Ginalyn Magtira for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violation of the anti-torture law and of the Consumer Act against Garin and 38 others, including officials of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi  Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma, was the 30th Dengvaxia-related complaint so far.

The complaint stemmed from the death of the Magtiras’ daughter Kristel Jean allegedly due to Dengvaxia in January.

Last year, Sanofi Pasteur announced  the vaccine could cause severe symptoms in people who have had no previous exposure to mosquito-borne virus.

By then, 830,000 schoolchildren had been given at least a dose of the controversial vaccine under the government’s vaccination program which began under the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino III.