GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyanese government has described as “reckless” media reports that it had acquired dengue vaccines and has been keeping the purchase a “secret.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said, contrary to the reports on Thursday, “it makes no sense that the MOH would secure vaccines and keep it a secret.”

“This is simply a reckless report designed more to create confusion and to mislead the public. To make it pellucidly clear, the MOH has not procured any dengue vaccine for use in the National Dengue Control Programme,” the statement said.

It went further to state that the use of dengue vaccine in the Dengue Control Programme is under serious consideration in Guyana, “but a decision is yet to be made whether Guyana will introduce dengue vaccines as part of the fight against dengue.”

“Once a decision is made, Guyana will procure adequate supply of dengue vaccines,” the ministry said, adding “it should be noted that while the dengue vaccines presently being marketed – Dengvaxia from Sanofi Pasteur and Qdenga from Takeda – are licensed in a small number of countries, they have not yet been prequalified by WHO (World Health Organization)”.

It said none of the WHO, the United States Center for Disease Control and the European Union regulatory authorities have recommended these vaccines for universal administration. “In the small number of jurisdictions around the world where the vaccines are used, they are only used under very restrictive conditions.”

The MOH said that the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization has been studying the dengue vaccine data and Guyana is awaiting the recommendations coming out of the SAGE Group.

“As soon as the SAGE comes out with its recommendations, Guyana will work with PAHO/WHO to include dengue vaccines in our fight against dengue.”

“Guyana’s FDA is prepared to license dengue vaccines as soon as a decision is made to use these vaccines. We urge media personnel and media management to desist from circulating false information on matters affecting people’s health,” the ministry added.

Guyana has been experiencing an outbreak of the mosquito borne dengue fever recording at least 14 deaths so far.