THE world’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recently updated its recommendation to the World Health Organization regarding the continued use of the world’s first anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.
In the said recommendation, SAGE affirmed the public health value of vaccination without screening in hyperendemic settings such as the Philippines, meaning vaccination without pre-screening is permissible in countries with high cases of dengue.
The report specified that vaccination without pre-screening was allowed in countries with seroprevalence greater than 80 percent at 9 years old.
Limited Philippine data showed that the seroprevalence rate in that age group was at 87 percent which supports vaccination without the need to pre-screen in the Philippines.
The update clarified that while pre-screen vaccination was still recommended, pre-screen tests were still being developed today.
The report further said “the over all population level benefit of vaccination remains favorable, but the vaccine performs differently in seropositive versus seronegative individuals.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Edsel Salvana, an infectious disease expert in the country, also emphasized the importance of the recent report as it would shed light on the confusion surrounding the vaccine today.
In his Facebook page, he summarized the highlights of the SAGE update which also stated that “Dengvaxia vaccine efficacy is confirmed in seropositive, in other words, it works and is effective and safe when used properly in those with previous dengue infection.”