Senate approves P1.16-billion additional budget for recipients of Dengvaxia

By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service

The Senate on Wednesday, Sept. 5, approved on third and final reading the proposed additional P1.16 billion budget for those who were administered the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

Eighteen senators voted for the passage of the supplemental budget, which would be derived from the amount paid by Sanofi Pasteur, the drug manufacturer, for the vaccine left unused by the government.

Sanofi caused public uproar after it admitted the vaccine could cause severe dengue in those who have not had the disease prior to receiving the dosage.

Over 830,000 were administered the vaccine under the vaccination program started by then-President Benigno Aquino III.