MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights has appealed to public officials to focus on the welfare of Filipino children and avoid politicizing the issue involving the government’s anti-dengue vaccination program. In a statement, the CHR urged public officials to refrain from causing further public anxiety with premature statements about anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia that are not backed by scientific evidence. Health officials are also investigating the death of at least 14 children to determine if these were caused by the vaccine. The government ought to undertake all possible measures to prevent further exposing the vaccinated children to risk,” read the CHR statement. It also expressed hope that the ongoing congressional investigations on the matter will result in legislations that will prevent similar incidents and improve the country’s public health programs.

Source: Philippine Star January 27, 2018 07:41 UTC