Green signal: Dengue vaccine import allowed
Was registered three months ago at the request of provinces
ISLAMABAD:
The registration board of the drug regulator after reviewing the cases of dengue vaccine reaction among children in the Philippines and subsequent advisories has allowed its import terming it safe if used in line with recommended guidelines.
The Philippines earlier this month had suspended the vaccine drive ordering an investigation into the immunisation of more than 730,000 children following some reported deaths and an announcement by the French drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur that it could worsen the disease in some cases.
The company had published clinical trial data showing that its dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, could have unintended consequences in patients who had never been infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
US made dengue vaccine 100 percent effective in small study
Consequently the process of import in Pakistan was also halted. Pakistan, one of the countries where a large number of dengue cases with deaths are reported, had registered the vaccine three months ago on the request of provinces, especially Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where dengue outbreak had claimed more than 67 lives. In Karachi alone more that 3,000 were affected with about 12 deaths.
Health experts were skeptical of its efficacy as there are at least four different strains of the virus in Pakistan and hence the vaccine loses its efficiency suggesting source reduction for mosquitoes remain the key.
However, the registration board meeting Friday reviewed the Philippines case and the World Health Organisation reports and guidelines.
After dengue, K-P fears diphtheria
The board approved its import and on April 18 will review again the latest situation. Officials said the vaccine is not for routine immunisation and only used for the passive vaccination meaning patients who already have suffered and recovered from dengue are administered the vaccine to cure them from subsequent exposure.
The vaccine is used in 17 dengue affected countries including Australia, Brazil, Indonesia Philippine and Pakistan has allowed its import in line of WHO rules, said DRAP Registration Board Director Dr Obaidullah. It will not be used for routine immunisation like it was done in The Philippines which caused side affects or reactions, he said, only affected population that has prior history of infection will be allowed to be administered as per WHO rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2017.
The registration board of the drug regulator after reviewing the cases of dengue vaccine reaction among children in the Philippines and subsequent advisories has allowed its import terming it safe if used in line with recommended guidelines.
The Philippines earlier this month had suspended the vaccine drive ordering an investigation into the immunisation of more than 730,000 children following some reported deaths and an announcement by the French drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur that it could worsen the disease in some cases.
The company had published clinical trial data showing that its dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, could have unintended consequences in patients who had never been infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
US made dengue vaccine 100 percent effective in small study
Consequently the process of import in Pakistan was also halted. Pakistan, one of the countries where a large number of dengue cases with deaths are reported, had registered the vaccine three months ago on the request of provinces, especially Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where dengue outbreak had claimed more than 67 lives. In Karachi alone more that 3,000 were affected with about 12 deaths.
Health experts were skeptical of its efficacy as there are at least four different strains of the virus in Pakistan and hence the vaccine loses its efficiency suggesting source reduction for mosquitoes remain the key.
However, the registration board meeting Friday reviewed the Philippines case and the World Health Organisation reports and guidelines.
After dengue, K-P fears diphtheria
The board approved its import and on April 18 will review again the latest situation. Officials said the vaccine is not for routine immunisation and only used for the passive vaccination meaning patients who already have suffered and recovered from dengue are administered the vaccine to cure them from subsequent exposure.
The vaccine is used in 17 dengue affected countries including Australia, Brazil, Indonesia Philippine and Pakistan has allowed its import in line of WHO rules, said DRAP Registration Board Director Dr Obaidullah. It will not be used for routine immunisation like it was done in The Philippines which caused side affects or reactions, he said, only affected population that has prior history of infection will be allowed to be administered as per WHO rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2017.