By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
The policeman who died after being administered Dengvaxia did not die because of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine.
According to the Philippine National Police Health Service, SP02 Vicente Arugay Jr. appeared to have died of leptospirosis instead.
“Sa ER we listed two days with fever. Dun po sasabihin natin na ang manifestation ng leptospirosis medyo huli na. Wala na siyang urine output..Sa amin po, sa pagkakakita namin, sa PNP General Hospital, sa history at physical laboratory, wala po kami nakita na dahilan na nagkoconnect ng Dengvaxia,” Chief Insp. Benaly Bayanim, the health service’s medical officer said.
Senior Supt. Antonietta Langcauon, acting director of the medical center, also clarified that it was not the PNP that gave Arugay the vaccine, belying allegations the policeman’s name was removed from a list of Dengvaxia recipients in the hospital.
She said that only the Department of Health and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center administered the vaccine.
Besides, Arugay, she said, was already 50 years old, which meant he would no longer qualify for the government’s vaccination program that only covered individuals 9 to 25 years old.
“We are trying to cover up, wag kayo mag-isip ng ganun. By covering up we will gain nothing. By telling the truth we will not lose anything….Kung may tao na concerned, walang iba kundi kami. Tauhan namin yun eh. Please,” PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa said.
Over 4000 PNP personnel and their dependents were administered the controversial vaccine.
Based on PNP records, 135 have sought consultation in the PNP medical center.
Of the 135, 83 were experiencing flu-like symptoms, but were eventually released.
Fifty-three are under counseling, while seven were confined.
