The dengue vaccines which were set for distribution across the country last year could reach their expiration date if these will still not be allotted and administered to patients of the mosquito-borne disease, said a local health official.

According to Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, many individuals and organizations are awaiting the availability of the Dengvaxia vaccine which could go to waste if not distributed soon.

Cabagnot expressed optimism that concerned authorities would take action in favor of the resumption of the free dengue vaccination which was blocked after concerns over the vaccine’s safety were raised.

Physicians such as Dr. Anthony Leachon of the Philippine College of Physicians and other doctors have questioned the efficacy of the vaccine and cited the increase of risks with its usage.

They indicated in the September issue of Science magazine that those administered with the vaccine could be exposed to worse dengue strains.

In April last year, the Department of Health started to provide free dengue vaccination to grade 4 students in the National Capital Region, Region 3 and Region 4-A.

However, it was shortly after stopped following the discovery of a few ill effects in those inoculated.

The government allotted P3 billion for the acquisition of the dengue vaccines from pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur Inc. (Rey Tutas)