PMA urges Marcos Jr. to speed up dengue vaccine approval amid case surge

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is urging President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to expedite the approval of the TAK003 (Qdenga) dengue vaccine, citing an alarming 81 percent surge in nationwide cases in 2024.

The vaccine, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, has been pending Philippine FDA approval since April 2023, despite being licensed in over 40 countries and recommended by the WHO for endemic nations.

Vaccine expert Dr. Lulu Bravo highlighted that many countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, have already licensed the dengue vaccine, questioning the delay in the Philippines.

Bravo explained that the appeal stems from the demand and right of Filipinos to protect their health, noting the vaccine's effectiveness rate of 80.2 percent in reducing dengue hospitalizations by 90 percent and its suitability for individuals as young as four years old.

The PMA advocates for a multi-pronged approach that includes vaccination, citing the need for innovative strategies beyond traditional prevention methods.

However, the Department of Health (DOH) stated that the FDA must complete its evaluation process before granting approval.