By Benjamin Pulta/PNA
MANILA — The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has recommended new criminal charges over the death of a student two years ago, shortly after being inoculated with the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
In its recommendations submitted to Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, the PAO panel, led by PAO-National Capital Region Public Attorney Marlon E. Buan, recommended that charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide be filed against those involved.
Separate charges of violation of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act provisions on mislabeled and defective products were also recommended.
Recommended for indictments were former Health secretary Janette L. Garin, eight government doctors who participated in the purchase of Dengvaxia vaccines, officials of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Food and Drug Administration, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and officials of the vaccine’s manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. and distributed in the country by Zuellig Pharma Corp.
The latest case involved complainants Gerardo J. de Luna and Marissa E. de Luna, who sought the assistance ofthe PAO in relation to the death of their daughter Zarah Mae E. de Luna after having been vaccinated with Dengvaxia.
The then 12 -year old student at Hinguiwin Elementary School, Padre Burgos, Quezon died on November 12, 2017.
The anti-dengue vaccination conducted in the victim’s school was part of the mass vaccination program of the Department of Health that was implemented during the term of Garin.
Zarah Mae completed three doses of dengue vaccine, receiving her second and third shots of Dengvaxia on Dec. 12, 2016, and June 23, 2017, respectively.
Prior to receiving the vaccine, Zarah Mae was healthy and strong and had never been hospitalized. She never had any serious illness, including dengue. She received no notable medication other than Dengvaxia.
In August 2017, Zarah Mae started to complain of pain on her palms and feet.
In November that year, Zarah Mae died because of acute respiratory failure and rheumatic heart disease.
Three cases involving previous batches of suspicious deaths linked to Dengvaxia are being pursued before government prosecutors by families of the dead schoolchildren with the help of the PAO.
