Vaccines 2017

The suspension of Sanofi Pasteur’s dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) in the Philippines has escalated into a formal investigation characterized by mutual recriminations. The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the Philippines was quick to claim that the organization had not recommended the vaccine's use. This, however, is inaccurate. The WHO endorsed the vaccine in April 2016, recommending its implementation in regions with a high disease burden. Consequently, Philippine authorities have approached the manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, demanding a refund of the $73 million paid for the vaccine and are currently threatening legal action against the company.