The Dengue School-Based Immunization program that commenced on Apr. 4 and has been administered to more than 300,000 schoolkids aged nine years and above in Regions III, IV-A, and National Capital Region (NCR) is now being expanded to Grade 4 pupils in the Central Visayas (Region VII).
The announcement of the expanded use of the dengue fever vaccine, Dengvaxia, was made during the annual celebration of the ASEAN Dengue Day in the country.
Related: Philippines FDA approves dengue vaccine, 1st in Asia
“This year’s ASEAN Dengue Day is a significant milestone in our country as we are expanding our dengue vaccination through a school-based immunization approach. We are the first country to introduce, adopt, and implement the first-ever dengue vaccine through the public health system and under the public school setting. With this breakthrough, we can now increase our immunization services to address a disease that is of public health importance,” DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin said.
As of June 4, 2016, a total of 49,904 suspected dengue cases, including 190 deaths were reported nationwide.
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