Gov’t pushes anti-dengue drive; vaccine still under review

The Marcos administration is urging the public to keep practicing the DOH’s “4 O’Clock Habit” campaign against dengue as the rainy season begins.

At a Palace briefing Tuesday, June 2, press officer Claire Castro said the World Health Organization still considers mosquito control the best way to prevent dengue.

“Sa madaling salita, kapag walang lamok, walang dengue,” Castro said.

The campaign encourages households to “taob, taktak, tuyo at takip” to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Castro said dengue cases dropped by 57 percent this year, with 48,151 cases recorded compared to 110,924 during the same period in 2025.

On the proposed Qdenga vaccine, Castro said the Food and Drug Administration is still reviewing the application.

“Ayon sa DOH, sinusuri pa ng Food and Drug Administration ang mungkahi ng aplikante para sa bakuna,” she said.

Castro added that health authorities are studying data showing lower efficacy among younger children and possible risks linked to dengue serotype 3, the strain commonly circulating in the Philippines.IMT