With the increase in incidence of dengue in the country that led to increased awareness about the disease, the Dengue Study Group was organized some twenty five years ago. Following epidemiological, entomological, virological and clinical studies, the group embarked on studies on the prevention of dengue, particularly on vaccination and vector control. In the past ten years, the group has been in the forefront in the clinical development of dengue vaccine and will continue its work on vaccine studies on age groups, application of regimens and schedules. Furthermore, vector-control studies are giving particular considerations on climate change and social determinants that affect the spread, severity, prevention and control of dengue.

The Dengue Study Group has been recognized by the Department of Health to have the competence and expertise in conducting clinical trials. Stronger collaboration and partnerships has been evident by participation of its members in consultative meetings for policy formulation and decision making, conduct of studies funded by the government and the industry and international and local continuing medical education initiatives.

The paper entitled “Clinical efficacy and safety of a novel tetravalent dengue vaccine in healthy children in Asia: a phase 3, randomised, observer-masked, placebo-controlled trial”. Maria Rosario Capeding, Ngoc Huu Tran. Sri Rezeki et al. (The Lancet. 2014. 384:1358-1365) was adjudged as Paper of the Year 2014 by the International Society for Vaccines (ISV).

Research Program Leader: Maria Rosario Z. Capeding, MD

Research Core Group:
Amado O. Tandoc III, MD
Ava Kristy D. Sy
Edelwisa S. Mercado, PhD
Charissa Faye B. Tabora, MD
Joanne A. De Jesus, MD
Arthur Dessi E. Roman, MD
Ferdinand V. Salazar, PhD
Estrella I. Dela Cruz, MPH
Marianette T. Inobaya, MSc