Dengvaxia controversy

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The Dengvaxia controversy ({{IPA|tl|dɛŋˈvakʃa|local}}) occurred in the Philippines when the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was found to increase the risk of disease severity for some people who had received it.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Nicola |date=February 5, 2018 |title=Philippines immunisation rates plummet amid Dengue vaccination scare |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/05/philippines-immunisation-rates-plummet-amid-dengue-vaccination/ |access-date=September 7, 2021}}

A vaccination program run by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) administered Sanofi Pasteur's Dengvaxia to schoolchildren.{{Cite news |last=East |first=Susie |date=April 6, 2016 |title=World's first dengue fever vaccine launched in the Philippines |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/06/health/dengue-fever-vaccine-philippines/ |access-date=October 17, 2016}} The program was stopped when Sanofi Pasteur advised the government that the vaccine could put previously uninfected people at a somewhat higher risk of a severe case of dengue fever through antibody-dependent enhancement.{{Cite news |last=Soucheray |first=Stephanie |date=December 1, 2017 |title=Sanofi restricts dengue vaccine but downplays antibody enhancement |work=Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy |url=http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2017/12/sanofi-restricts-dengue-vaccine-downplays-antibody-enhancement |access-date=December 2, 2017}} A political controversy erupted over whether the program was run with sufficient care and who should be held responsible for the alleged harm to the vaccinated children.

In late November 2017, the DOH suspended the school-based vaccination program.{{Cite news |last=Cepeda |first=Mara |date=December 1, 2017 |title=DOH suspends dengue vaccination program |work=Rappler |location=Manila, Philippines |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/190056-doh-stops-dengue-vaccination-program-dengvaxia-sanofi |access-date=September 28, 2019}} The DOH subsequently banned the vaccine's use and sale in the Philippines.{{Cite news |last=Paris |first=Janella |date=August 22, 2019 |title=DOH upholds permanent ban of Dengvaxia |work=Rappler |location=Manila, Philippines |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/238274-doh-upholds-permanent-ban-dengvaxia |access-date=September 28, 2019}} The scare caused by the controversy has been suggested as a factor in the country's loss of confidence in vaccines and low immunization rates,{{Cite news |last=Tomacruz |first=Sofia |date=September 27, 2018 |title=Parents still scared of govt's free vaccines a year after Dengvaxia scare |work=Rappler |location=Ilocos Sur, Philippines |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/212927-child-vaccination-rate-philippines-as-of-september-2018 |access-date=September 28, 2019}} resulting in an infectious disease crisis in the country in 2019,{{cite book | doi=10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_72 | chapter=Disease Burden of Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever | title=Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures | date=2010 | last1=Suaya | first1=J. A. | last2=Shepard | first2=D. S. | last3=Beatty | first3=Mark E. | last4=Farrar | first4=J. | pages=1263–1279 | isbn=978-0-387-78664-3 }} including a measles outbreak.{{Cite news |last1=Alfonso |first1=Cenon |last2=Dayrit |first2=Manuel |last3=Mendoza |first3=Ronald |last4=Ong |first4=Madeline |date=March 8, 2021 |title=From Dengvaxia to Sinovac: Vaccine Hesitancy in the Philippines |work=The Diplomat |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/from-dengvaxia-to-sinovac-vaccine-hesitancy-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=September 7, 2021}}

Events

File:President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Sanofi Pasteur chief executive officer Olivier Charmeil.jpg CEO Olivier Charmeil during a courtesy call on December 1, 2015, in Paris, France.]] On December 1, 2015, former President Benigno Aquino III met with executives of Sanofi Pasteur in a courtesy call in Paris, making the Philippines the first Asian country to approve the commercial sale of Dengvaxia.

File:President Aquino at the launching of dengue vaccine school-based immunization in Region III.jpg at the launching of the dengue vaccine school-based immunization program.]]

In April 2016, the DOH launched the dengue vaccination campaign in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila, where about 700,000 individuals received at least one dose of the vaccine.{{cite news|title=DOH suspends dengue immunization program over potential health risk|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/01/1764262/doh-suspends-dengue-immunization-program-over-potential-health-risk|work=The Philippine Star|date=December 17, 2017 }} The government paid P3.5-billion for the vaccine.{{Cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/13/1767890/senate-invites-aquino-vaccine-probe |title=Senate invites Aquino to vaccine probe |date=December 13, 2017 |work=The Philippine Star}}

On November 29, 2017, French drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur released a statement stating that their dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, posed risk to individuals vaccinated without having a prior dengue infection.{{cite news|last=Santos|first=Tina G.|date=November 30, 2017|title=Pharma firm issues caution on use of anti-dengue vaccine|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=https://technology.inquirer.net/69907/pharma-firm-issues-caution-anti-dengue-vaccine-sanofi-dengvaxia-vaccine-health-dengue|access-date=September 28, 2019}}{{cite news |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Sanofi updates information on dengue vaccine |url=https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2017/2017-11-29-16-36-30-1210526 |work=Sanofi Pasteur}} Soon after, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) suspended the vaccination on FCS program based in schools owing to the said concern,{{cite news|title=Suspended dengue vaccine was given to 730,000 children, Philippines says|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/05/suspended-dengue-vaccine-children-philippines-sanofi|work=The Guardian|date=December 5, 2017}} with DOH Secretary Francisco Duque saying "In the light of this new analysis, the DOH will place the dengue vaccination on hold while review and consultation is ongoing with experts, key stakeholders and the World Health Organization." On December 2, 2017, the government of Makati immediately suspended its anti-dengue vaccination drive following its statement.{{cite news|title=Makati suspends anti-dengue vaccination program|url=http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2017/12/02/makati-suspends-anti-dengue-vaccination-program/|work=Philippine Canadian Inquirer|date=December 2, 2017}}

In its statement, pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur reported concerns that Filipinos, mostly schoolchildren, could potentially be at risk of a more severe disease, where the recipient of the vaccine had not had a previous dengue infection; however, a medical director of Sanofi said that the dengue vaccination would not cause "severe dengue."{{cite news|title=Ex-DOH chief ready to face probe over Dengvaxia mess|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/17/ex-doh-chief-ready-to-face-probe-over-dengvaxia-mess|work=ABS-CBN News|date=December 5, 2017}} On December 4, 2017, Sanofi also denied that they made Filipinos into “guinea pigs,” explaining that the vaccine program was conducted by the DOH and not them.{{cite news| title=Sanofi, DOH allay dengue vaccine fears |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/04/1765198/sanofi-doh-allay-dengue-vaccine-fears |work=The Philippine Star|date=December 4, 2017}}{{cite news |title=Sanofi denies Pinoys became 'guinea pigs,' says no reported Dengvaxia deaths in PH |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/sanofi-denies-filipinos-became-dengvaxia-guinea-pigs-explains-severe-dengue-allays-fears/ |work=News5}} Senator JV Ejercito, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, sought to identify by January 2018 whether there was an irregularity in the procurement of the vaccine,{{cite news|title=Senate to probe dengue vaccine in January|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/02/1764274/senate-probe-dengue-vaccine-january|work=The Philippine Star|date=December 2, 2017}} while Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the government to address the health threats posed by the vaccine.{{cite news|title=Risa says Sanofi must pay over Dengvaxia mess; DOJ orders probe of PNoy gov't's P3.5-B vaccination drive|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/risa-urges-govt-to-create-database-of-children-given-dengvaxia-says-sanofi-must-shoulder-needs-of-affected-pinoys/|work=News5}} The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines ordered Sanofi to stop distributing of Dengvaxia into the country.{{cite news|title=PH gov't orders Sanofi to stop sale, distribution of Dengvaxia|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/ph-govt-orders-sanofi-to-stop-sale-distribution-of-dengvaxia/|work=News5}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20171205044730/http://www.fda.gov.ph/advisories-2/476894-fda-advisory-no-2017-318-suspension-of-sale-marketing-distribution-of-sanofi-pasteur-inc-s-tetravalent-vaccine-live-attenuated-dengvaxia "FDA Advisory No. 2017-318 || Suspension of Sale/Marketing/Distribution of Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.’s Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Attenuated)(Dengvaxia)"]. Archived from the [http://www.fda.gov.ph/advisories-2/476894-fda-advisory-no-2017-318-suspension-of-sale-marketing-distribution-of-sanofi-pasteur-inc-s-tetravalent-vaccine-live-attenuated-dengvaxia original]. Food and Drug Administration. Former Health Secretary Janette Garin said she welcomed the investigation which will be conducted by the Philippine Department of Justice.{{cite news|title=Garin ready to face govt's Dengvaxia probe|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/garin-says-shes-ready-to-face-govts-dengvaxia-probe/|work=News5}} Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told the media that 10 percent of the 733,000 to 830,000 schoolchildren were at risk of dengue infection.{{cite news|title=Filipinos not made guinea pigs – Sanofi|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/949830/filipinos-not-made-guinea-pigs-sanofi|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} Since then, the Philippine Department of Education has closely monitored the students who have been injected by the vaccine.{{cite news |title=DepEd monitors students administered with Dengvaxia |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/12/deped-monitors-students-administered-with-dengvaxia/ |work=Manila Bulletin|date=December 2, 2017}} Hontiveros said that Sanofi should take liability for the medical expenses of those who contracted severe dengue fever after receiving doses of the vaccine.{{cite news|title=Hontiveros: Sanofi should take on medical expenses of those who were vaccinated|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/16/hontiveros-sanofi-should-take-on-medical-expenses-of-those-who-were-vaccinated/|work=Manila Bulletin}}

Sanofi representative Thomas Triomphe "was forced to apologize" during the House of Representatives hearing on the Dengvaxia dengue vaccine.{{cite news |title=Sanofi exec forced to apologize during Dengvaxia inquiry |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/952099/sanofi-exec-forced-to-apologize-at-dengvaxia-inquiry |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} Former President Benigno Aquino III, who approved the vaccination program in 2016, expressed interest in attending the Senate hearing.{{cite news|work=The Philippine Star|title=Aquino ready to face Dengvaxia probe at Senate|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/13/1768001/aquino-ready-face-dengvaxia-probe-senate}} On December 16, Aquino told reporters that "With the announcement of Sanofi and the reactions to it, there has been a lot of tension building up and I think it is incumbent upon me even as a citizen to try and allay certain fears, to put it in the proper perspective, to put it on the proper level."{{cite news|title=Aquino: It's my duty to explain|url=https://m.inquirer.net/newsinfo/952868|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

Secretary Duque reminded the public, especially parents, that "the vaccine is not a 'standalone' preventive measure against dengue."{{cite news |title=Duque to public: Don't rely too much on vaccination to fight dengue |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/636765/duque-to-public-don-rsquo-t-rely-too-much-on-vaccination-to-fight-dengue/story/ |work=GMA News}} On December 15, 2017, former Education and Skills Development chief Augusto Syjuco Jr filed "mass murder and plunder" complaints against Aquino and former health secretary Janette Garin over the controversial vaccination program.{{cite news |title=Aquino, Garin face mass murder, plunder raps over dengvaxia controversy |url=http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2017/12/15/aquino-garin-face-mass-murder-plunder-raps-over-dengvaxia-controversy/ |work=Philippine Canadian Inquirer |date=December 15, 2017}} Former health secretary Enrique Ona blamed his successor Janette Garin, who advised former president Benigno Aquino lll to purchase the Dengvaxia.{{cite news|work=The Philippine Star|title=Dengue vaccine fiasco: Enrique Ona blames Janette Garin |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/19/1769792/dengue-vaccine-fiasco-enrique-ona-blames-janette-garin|date=December 19, 2017}}

On February 2, 2018, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) issued a report stating that three out of 14 children who died after receiving Dengvaxia indicated dengue despite immunization.{{cite news|title=3 out of 14 kids died of dengue after Dengvaxia shot – UP-PGH panel|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/195070-children-dead-dengue-dengvaxia-up-pgh-panel|work=Rappler|date=February 3, 2018}} On February 3, a group of doctors, including former health secretary Esperanza Cabral, urged the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) to stop conducting autopsies.{{cite news |title=Stop PAO autopsies on suspected Dengvaxia victims |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/195176-esperanza-cabral-doctors-doj-stop-pao-autopsies-dengvaxia-victims |work=Rappler}}

On February 5, 2018, during a probe at the House of Representatives, mothers of children who took part in a mass vaccination program confronted Garin, screaming at her and accusing her of killing their children. The women would later admit to the media that none of their children died after vaccination.{{cite news|title=Mothers of Dengvaxia kids confront Garin after House probe|url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/195318-dengvaxia-house-hearing-garin-confronted|work=Rappler}}

On February 21, 2018, Senator Richard Gordon said that the DOH must be liable for the controversy.{{cite news |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/196561-gordon-says-doh-liable-over-dengvaxia-mess |title=Gordon says DOH 'liable' over Dengvaxia mess |work=Rappler}} On March 13, Senator Gordon formally terminated the investigation of the controversy.{{cite news|title=Gordon vows 'hard-hitting' report as Senate ends Dengvaxia probe|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/198046-gordon-vows-hard-hitting-report-senate-ends-dengvaxia-probe|work=Rappler}}

On February 26, 2018, Aquino appeared for the first time at a House inquiry about the controversy; he said that the controversy has been "politicized," {{cite news|title=Aquino hits 'loud' forensic expert on Dengvaxia mess|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/971363/aquino-hits-loud-forensic-expert-on-dengvaxia-mess|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} but the Malacañang Palace distanced itself from Aquino's allegations.{{cite news|title=Dengvaxia mess 'politicized'? Certainly not because of Duterte, says Palace|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/971395/dengvaxia-dengue-vaccine-aquino-palace-duterte-politicized-probe|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

On February 27, 2018, the opposition Representatives such as Gary Alejano of Magdalo and Edcel Lagman of Albay urged President Rodrigo Duterte to intervene in the dispute between the PAO and DOH.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UHjLAXQggk "Bandila: Ilang mambabatas, hinamon si Duterte ukol sa Dengvaxia"]. On March 3, about 200 families of Dengvaxia vaccines joined the advocacy run held in Quezon Memorial Circle.{{cite news|title=Mga pamilya ng naturukan ng Dengvaxia, nagsagawa ng 'advocacy run'|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/03/18/mga-pamilya-ng-naturukan-ng-dengvaxia-nagsagawa-ng-advocacy-run|work=ABS-CBN News}}

In 2018, Dengvaxia was approved in Europe{{Cite web|url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/dengvaxia|title=Dengvaxia | European Medicines Agency|date=17 October 2018 }} and US in 2019,{{Cite web|title=CDC Dengue Fever Vaccine|date=16 December 2021|url=https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/prevention/dengue-vaccine.html}} only for use in people who have been infected with dengue virus before and who live in areas where this infection is endemic.

= Charges =

On April 5, 2018, Public Attorney's Office filed the criminal charges (reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) and torture) against the Former Health Secretary Janette Garin and other former officials.{{cite news|title=Garin, other Health execs charged over 'Dengvaxia deaths'|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/garin-other-health-execs-charged-over-dengvaxia-deaths/390637/|work=The Manila Times}}{{cite news|title=Garin: Raps filed by parents of alleged Dengvaxia victims 'have no scientific basis'|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/980437/garin-dengvaxia-dengue-vaccine-complaint-parents-alleged-deaths-victims|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} However, Garin said that the charges have no basis and vowed to file a counter-charge against PAO.{{cite news|title=Raps filed vs. Garin, 34 others over alleged Dengvaxia deaths|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/648968/raps-filed-vs-garin-34-others-over-dengvaxia-deaths/story/|work=GMA News}} The families of four children — Aejay Bautista (11), Lenard Baldonado (10), Zandro Colite (11), and Angelica Pestilos (10), whose deaths had been linked to Dengvaxia — also filed the charges.{{cite news|title=Dengvaxia victims' kin file complaint vs DOH, Sanofi, Zuellig execs|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/199657-dengvaxia-victims-families-criminal-complaint-doh-sanofi-zuellig|work=Rappler}}

On April 19, 2018, PAO filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ), including the incumbent Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, following the death of the 13-year-old girl after receiving Dengvaxia on November 17, 2017.{{cite news|title=Duque, other DOH officials face criminal raps over Dengvaxia mess|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/19/18/duque-other-doh-officials-face-criminal-raps-over-dengvaxia-mess|work=ABS-CBN News}} Duque described the charges against him as "malicious and oppressive" and he also said that he has nothing to do with the implementation of the dengue immunization program since he was seated as the secretary in October 2017.{{cite news|title=Duque blasts PAO chief for 'malicious' Dengvaxia rap|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/20/18/duque-blasts-pao-chief-for-malicious-dengvaxia-rap|work=ABS-CBN News}}

= Gordon's draft report =

On April 15, 2018, Gordon said he expected at least 10 senators to sign his report holding former President Benigno Aquino III and other officials liable.{{cite news|title=Gordon: 10 senators to sign committee report on Dengvaxia probe|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/982569/gordon-10-senators-to-sign-committee-report-on-dengvaxia-probe|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} Senator Panfilo Lacson will not sign the report due to "unreasonable comments" about him.{{cite news|title=Lacson won't sign Dengvaxia report due to Gordon's 'unreasonable' remark|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/982739/lacson-gordon-dengvaxia-draft-committee-report-dengue-vaccine-senate|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} On April 17, Aside from Gordon, who already signed the report, Senators Ralph Recto, Manny Pacquiao, Win Gatchalian, Tito Sotto, Gregorio Honasan, Migz Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, and Grace Poe have signed.{{cite news|title=9 senators have signed report seeking charges vs former President Aquino|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/983106/dengvaxia-benigno-aquino-richard-gordon-draft-report|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} On April 20, Senator Sonny Angara also signed.{{cite news|title=Angara signs blue ribbon Dengvaxia report with 'reservations', too|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/983931/angara-signs-blue-ribbon-dengvaxia-report-with-reservations-too|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

Aftermath

Approximately 800,000 schoolchildren received the Dengvaxia vaccine and benefit from the protection it grants against dengue fever. However around 10% of those 800,000 had not had dengue fever before and therefore are at risk of severe infection because of the vaccine.

In the Philippines, the Dengvaxia controversy has contributed to overall vaccine hesitancy because of heightened concerns about vaccine safety. While concerns about vaccine safety are usually irrational, in the case of Dengvaxia there was a basis in evidence.{{cite journal |vauthors=Fatima K, Syed NI |title=Dengvaxia controversy: impact on vaccine hesitancy |journal= Journal of Global Health|volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=010312 |date=December 2018 |pmid=30410732 |pmc=6214489 |doi=10.7189/jogh.08.020312 |type=Review}} Many parents of children who died blamed the vaccine.{{Cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220063636/http://www.philstar.com/bansa/2017/12/20/1770056/anak-namin-namatay-sa-dengvaxia|title=Anak namin namatay sa Dengvaxia|lang=fil|archive-date=December 20, 2017|url=http://www.philstar.com/bansa/2017/12/20/1770056/anak-namin-namatay-sa-dengvaxia|website=Pilipino Star Ngayon|date=December 19, 2017|url-status=live}}

Most of the deaths were caused by internal bleeding in the heart, lungs and brain, which are symptoms of hemorrhagic dengue.{{cite news|title=Bakit namamaga ang internal organs ng mga namatay umano sa Dengvaxia?|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/11/18/bakit-namamaga-ang-internal-organs-ng-mga-namatay-umano-sa-dengvaxia|work=ABS-CBN News|language=tl|date=January 11, 2018}}

According to the DOH, 729,105 grade 4 students from selected regions have received the first dose of the vaccine. Of these, 534,303 students had approved parental consent but only 491,990 students received the first dose of the vaccine.{{cite news |title=Failon Ngayon: Dengvaxia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQObs3vk3l0 |publisher=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs – via YouTube}} Note: Pause at 2:48.

Effects on COVID-19 vaccination program

A study published by the University of the Philippines College of Medicine directly attributes the Dengvaxia controversy as one of the major factors for the vaccine hesitancy of Filipinos affecting the COVID-19 vaccination program.{{cite web| url = https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/06/dengvaxia-controversy-led-to-significant-decline-in-vaccination-up-study/| title = Dengvaxia controversy led to 'significant decline' in vaccination – UP study – Manila Bulletin| website = Manila Bulletin| date = 6 August 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/29/philippines-covid-vaccination-policy|title = Dengvaxia controversy haunts Duterte's COVID vaccine roll out}}

Reactions

Citizens, as well as Senator Ejercito, expressed frustration on February 5, 2018, blaming the PAO for panic in dengue vaccination.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebxzx1UgH2k "Bandila: PAO, binabatikos dahil sa 'panic' sa Dengvaxia"] (in Tagalog). ABS-CBN News — via YouTube. Attorney Persida Acosta of the PAO said that the PAO should not be blamed for that panic but Sanofi Pasteur itself.

=Allegations of corruption=

Employees of the Public Attorneys Office have asked the Office of the Ombudsman to issue a preventive suspension order against PAO chief Persida Acosta and her forensics chief Dr. Erwin Erfe for alleged corruption in the agency. It was alleged that Acosta has two "loyal" certified public accountants named Lira Hosea Suangco and Maveric Sales who are tasked to maintain office supplies such as bond paper to be used for the Dengvaxia cases. The funds, however, were used for other purposes. It was also alleged that Acosta and Erfe are using PAO funds to purchase tarpaulins, t-shirts, and coffins to be used in rallies.{{Cite news |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/19/acosta-accused-of-using-dengvaxia-issue-for-corruption-in-pao |title=Acosta accused of using Dengvaxia issue for corruption in PAO |last=ABS News |first=Adrian Ayalin and Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN |work=2019-08-15 |access-date=December 2, 2019}}https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/19/acosta-accused-of-using-dengvaxia-issue-for-corruption-in-pao

In January 2021, the Ombudsman cleared Acosta and Erfe of criminal and administrative charges relating to the Dengvaxia issue, saying there was "no probable cause for malversation of public funds or property and illegal use of public funds or property."{{Cite news |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127707|title=Ombudsman clears PAO chief of raps|last=Pulta|first=Benjamin |work=Philippine News Agency|date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021}}