MANILA — Former Health Secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Saturday (15 Mar 2025) reiterated that vaccination is the best solution to address the rising number of dengue cases in the country.

In an online press conference, Garin cited countries like Brazil and Mexico, which have significantly lower dengue-related deaths. She noted that those who received the vaccine do not experience severe dengue.

“Let us look at Brazil and Mexico—yung mga bansang gumamit ng bakuna may nagkakadengue pa rin pero narinig ko dalawa na lang ang namatay kumpara sa hundreds of thousands,” the Iloilo First District Representative told reporters.

“Hindi na kailangan dalhin sa ospital kapag mild [ang dengue]. Sayang ang oportunidad sa Pilipinas dahil nakinig tayo sa mga pekeng balita.”

Garin also highlighted the impact of misinformation surrounding the Dengvaxia vaccine, which she believes has hindered efforts to combat the disease in the country.

She urged the Department of Health (DOH) to implement real solutions to the growing dengue crisis, emphasizing that repeated public health messages on basic prevention measures, such as cleaning and fogging, are insufficient.

“The DOH leadership should come forward, be part of the solution… Palagi nating naririnig sa kanila, paulit-ulit sinasabi ng DOH na maglinis at magpausok. Totoo naman ‘yan, but ang effectiveness niyan ay hindi kumpleto,” she stressed.

“Paulit-ulit nang sinasabi ng World Health Organization na dekada na tayong naglilinis, subalit hindi ito sapat,” she added.