By Zorayda S. Tecson
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, June 15 (PNA) -Health experts see big hope that the problem on how to control dengue would soon be resolved with the recent progress in the vaccine development efforts.
Ma. Rosario Z. Capeding, head of the Dengue Study Group Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, said that although there is currently no treatment nor vaccination and protection against dengue, there is a vaccine that demonstrates good safety profile based on the CYD 14 (dengue vaccine) study.
Capeding, in her presentation during the two-day regional forum on dengue being held at the Holiday Inn Clark, said that CYD14 (dengue vaccine) study has met its primary objective with a 56 percent reduction in dengue disease in vaccinated children in Asia.
“CYD14(dengue vaccine) study showed good safety profile consistently observed in previous trials. For the first time in an efficacy study, we have a vaccine that demonstrates protection against dengue,” she said.
She said the Sanofi Pasteur’s dengue vaccine is the most clinically advanced dengue vaccine candidate because of its good safety profile as shown in the efficacy study.
Dr. Joselito Sta Ana, representing Sanofi Pasteur regional office in Asia, said this is a major breakthrough as shown in the clinical trials of CY14 in five countries in Asia.
“This is a breakthrough in the field of science. Vaccine for dengue is possible,” Sta Ana said.
Sta. Ana said that based on the clinical trials Sanofi Pasteur has no major side effects except for mild fever which is normal for those who were vaccinated.
“There is no reported adverse effects. and it is very safe based on the efficacy study,” he said.
Sta Ana said they expect for the results of the dengue vaccine efficacy study coming from Latin America by the end of the year.
“We are expecting that by the end of 2014, the results of this vaccine study will come out,” he said.
Hopefully by 2016, the dengue vaccine would be available to the markers,” he added. (PNA)