MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Philippines has suspended the sale and distribution of the Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, the drug locally registered as Dengvaxia, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Tuesday.
"In order to protect the general public, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) immediately directed Sanofi to suspend the sale/distribution/marketing of Dengvaxia and cause the withdrawal of Dengvaxia in the market, pending compliance with the directives of the FDA," the regulator said in a statement.
Parents of children injected with dengue vaccine Dengvaxia call for Health Department and Sanofi’s accountability | @gergcahiles pic.twitter.com/CJsl1WuUZU
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) 5 декабря 2017 г.
According to the FDA, the decision was made after advice was received from the producer of the first-ever registered dengue vaccine — the French multinational pharmaceutical company Sanofi — that the product is potentially risky if administered to patients who have not had dengue prior to immunization.
READ MORE: Dengue Prevention Program in Philippines Could Actually Worsen Disease
#BREAKINGNEWSNOW:(DEVELOPING)FDA orders withdrawal of Sanofi Pasteur’s anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia from the market. | @shecrisostomo
— Newscenter PHL (@newscenterPHL1) 5 декабря 2017 г.
Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes found in many areas in the world, such as the United States, parts of Asia and Africa. Symptoms might include headache, vomiting, a skin rash and low blood pressure among others. It is mostly non-fatal, however, complications could lead to the death of the patient.
