Doctors optimistic about dismissal of Dengvaxia cases

As the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to evaluate several pending Dengvaxia cases, doctors involved remain optimistic that the charges will be dismissed.

In a statement on Saturday, former Health Undersecretary Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go expressed gratitude for the “enlightenment” brought to the cases and called for the revocation of licenses for “fake experts.”

"Itong issue ay complicated na even mga kasamahan namin na doctor or mga public health specialists ay naghirap sa pagpaliwanag sa publiko… Ang mga nanlinlang, nagsinungaling, at nagpanggap na eksperto at nagkalat ng maling informasyon ay dapat tanggalan ng licensiya at paalalahanan ng kanilang ethical obligation," said Go.

(This issue is so complex that even fellow doctors and public health specialists struggle to explain it to the public. Those who misled, lied, pretended to be experts, and spread misinformation should have their licenses revoked and be reminded of their ethical obligations.)

Pathologist Dr. Raymund Lo also maintained that no evidence links the Dengvaxia vaccine to the alleged deaths.

No direct causal relationship

DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez echoed this sentiment, stating that there was no “direct causal relationship” between the vaccine and the deaths. He emphasized that multiple factors were considered in the case re-evaluation.

Vasquez also defended the scientists’ swift response to the Dengvaxia cases, explaining that cases were reviewed in batches.

"Sa dami kasi, per batch namin ginawa. Nagkataon, nauna itong 98...'yung mga taong 'yan lang ang nanghingi ng affirmative relief sa batas at sa batas natin, 'yun lamang mga nanghingi ng affirmative relief ang mabibigyan ng relief," Vasquez explained.

(Because of the sheer number of cases, we processed them in batches. It just so happened that these 98 cases came first. Only those who sought affirmative relief under the law can be granted it.)

He further clarified in a radio interview that, for scientific evidence to establish a link between vaccination and death, the fatality must have occurred within eight days of receiving the vaccine.

“Sa batas kasi natin, sa criminal procedure, dapat may cause-effect relationship. Be it criminal negligence or intentional acts, merong direct causal relationship,” said Vasquez.

(In our legal system, both criminal negligence and intentional acts require a direct cause-and-effect relationship.)

“Hindi ito personality-driven, ito ay base sa ebidensya lamang. At kami ay sumunod sa ebidensya, inaral namin ng mainam at ito ay lumabas na hindi masusuportahan ang present evidence… Lahat ng mga ebidensya ay hearsay evidence. Walang personal knowledge,” he said.

(This is not personality-driven; it is solely based on evidence. After a thorough examination, the existing evidence does not support the claims. All the presented evidence was hearsay with no direct personal knowledge.)

Meanwhile, relatives of Dengvaxia victims staged a protest urging Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to further investigate the cases.

This demonstration followed the DOJ’s resolution to withdraw the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide case filed against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and others involved. — DVM, GMA Integrated News