Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque has ordered a stop to the distribution and administration of anti-dengue vaccines.
This comes after Paris-based pharmaceutical company Sanofi announced its anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia can cause severe reaction to children who have not contracted dengue.
Duque said the vaccinations are halted until DOH is able to get a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Currently, DOH has a 1.4 billion stockpile of the vaccine.
Duque's order is meant for government hospitals and rural health units across the country.
Sanofi disclosed last November 29 that new analysis on long-term Dengvaxia found differences in vaccine performance based on whether or not the patient has had prior dengue infection.
