Dengue Vaccine Now Available In Watson’s Stores Nationwide
The first dengue vaccine in the world that can reduce the rate of dengue patients is now available in Watson’s stores nationwide.
The 3-part series of dengue vaccines will be now available over 108 Watson’s stores nationwide starting April 30, 2017. The world’s first vaccine against dengue can reduce dengue rate by 25 percent and reduce the number of deaths by 50 percent by 2020.
Dengue is an airborne disease usually caused by a virus carried by striped Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. They can transmit the virus and infect a person through bites. Previously, there’s still no specific treatment for dengue fever, but pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, drinking lot of fluids, and rest can alleviate its signs and symptoms.
Usually, the victims of this airborne mosquitoes get hospitalized to receive immediate treatment and prevent complications. Some people also uses natural remedies in treating this disease.
Dr. Gene Solante, an expert on infectious diseases explained that Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of the international healthcare company developed a preventive intervention against dengue, which took him 19 years of research.
Solante also explained the dengue vaccine can prevent patients from hospitalizations and serious dengue for up to four years if the dosage. He also explained that benefits of the vaccine and its efficiency were tested in Latin America.
“If you get bitten, you won’t get the symptoms— headache, fever, a decrease in platelet count and abdominal pain. If you have a mild type of dengue, the fever will disappear in three or four days. The platelet count will not be too low. Third, it can prevent severe dengue or thrombocytopenia, the lowest platelet count of under 50,000…” said by Solante quoted by Inquirer.
The Philippines ranked no. 7 worldwide in the number of dengue cases and it is among the top 10 deadly diseases in the country. To reduce dengue cases, the Department of Health (DOH) conducted vaccination in public schools of 3 regions where the dengue cases are high.
Solante also said that DOH can’t afford to vaccinate every Filipinos, so the help of the private sectors are necessary to prevent and reduce the cases of dengue. Vaccination schedules at Watsons: 1st Batch: April 30 (first shot); Oct. 29 (second); April 29, 2018 (third). 2nd Batch: May 14, (first shot); Nov. 12 (second); May 13, 2018 (third).
