Doctor Who Saved Children's Lives From Dengvaxia Menace Is Earning Praise Now

The Dengvaxia vaccine has created a buzz last year because of its negative implications once injected into kids, as prevention to the danger of dengue. Although the case is still under investigation, this doctor from Quezon City, Dr. Clemente Alcala, refused to use the vaccine to children.

Dengvaxia is a vaccine which claims to help protect kids and adults alike, against the harmful effects of dengue. The effects of dengue fever can be fatal, thus, parents rush to the medical centers to get their children vaccinated before it is too late.

But in 2017, cases of innocent children dying after vaccination has made noise.

Alcala, being a concerned doctor, questioned the procedures and its effects when given to people who are not infected with the disease, in comparison to giving the vaccine to those who are already contaminated.

His justification is-- the vaccine can do more harm than good to those who are vaccinated with Dengvaxia than those who have not. Dengue is a viral disease, and Dengvaxia is an antibody. Once dengue penetrates the body, the antibodies will destroy the person’s blood vessels and ignore the virus. This worsens the situation of every dengue patient.

The doctor is also doubtful about the data that was presented during the summit because the results of the vaccination did not reflect on the expected output.

“They should have isolated, for example, a hundred respondents vaccinated with Dengvaxia Stain 1, then put them in a place where they were bitten by mosquitoes with dengue virus. If they showed symptoms of dengue, only then can they be counted as concrete logistics,”

“I’m willing to face any sanction from DoH higher ups than risk the lives of more than 4,000 elementary school students of Candelaria,”

Dr. Clemente Alcala is being praised for this heroic act and the parents of the students from Candelaria town are grateful to him for standing for what is right.

Source: Manila Times