India has approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA (TAK-003), after clearance by the Drug Controller General of India. The live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine is recommended for people aged 4 – 60 years and is given in two doses, three months apart. No pre-vaccination screening is required, and people who have previously had dengue can also take the vaccine. Dengue infects about 400 million people globally each year and is endemic in India, with cases rising during the monsoon. Dengue has four virus strains and infection with one strain does not protect against the others. Repeat infections may become more severe due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). This makes the dengue vaccine especially valuable. Alongside vaccination, mosquito control and bite- prevention remain essential.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue vaccine to become available in India. The vaccine is likely to be launched commercially in mid-2027. QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine and is approved to treat dengue in patients between the ages of 4 and 60 years. A live-attenuated vaccine is made of weakened pathogens, which are still alive. The weakened germs trigger the right antibodies to give the patient strong immunity, while keeping them safe. The QDENGA vaccine is designed as a two-dose regimen: Patients take 2 doses of the vaccine about 3 months apart to get the optimum benefits. Unfortunately, this vaccine is not formulated for young children and elderly people, who remain a highly vulnerable population.
According to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the vaccine, patients do not need to undergo any pre-vaccination screening to check for prior antibodies before taking their first dose. Patients who have had dengue in the past can still take the vaccine to prevent future infections. The Indian government has approved the QDENGA vaccine after a thorough review of Takeda’s Phase I, II and III clinical trials.
According to the WHO, dengue is one of the most widespread and rapidly spreading vector-borne diseases in the world. Every year, about 400 million people are infected globally. Dengue is endemic to India, meaning that it is constantly present in the population. Cases spike during the monsoon season especially, because dengue is spread by mosquitoes which are commonly found in tropical, wet climates.
Immunity to dengue is more complicated than you’d think. For most diseases, patients develop natural immunity if they have been infected. After the initial infection, the antibodies stay in the patient’s system for a specific period, giving them protection from re-infection. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work this way with dengue. The dengue virus has four different forms, called serotypes or strains. They cause similar symptoms, but the body identifies them as four different illnesses. If a patient has an infection, they are only immune to reinfection from that specific strain. They can still pick up an infection of one of the other three strains.
A second dengue infection can be more dangerous than the first, because of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). Scientists are still studying this phenomenon, but the antibodies for one strain appear to unintentionally help the virus from another strain enter the body’s immune cells. This compromises the immune system, resulting in the patient deteriorating very quickly. This is where the QDENGA is a major win. It is a tetravalent vaccine, which means that it provides immunity to all four strains of dengue at once. Since we do not yet have antiviral treatments for dengue, this vaccine will go a long way in protecting patients from falling seriously ill. However, a new monoclonal antibody infusion therapy is awaiting approval, which would help treat severe Dengue.
Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, a day – biter., So, protecting yourself from mosquito bites is crucial. Take the following precautions, especially while travelling:
– Use mosquito repellent. You can use topical creams, gels or lotions applied externally on your skin. Ultrasonic mosquito repellent devices can also be useful in your home, workplace and at your kids’s school.
– Use protective clothing. Wear full-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce the amount of skin exposed to mosquitoes.
– Install physical barriers. Make sure your windows and external doors at home have a mosquito mesh. You can also get a mosquito net for your bed.
– Eliminate mosquito breeding sites near you. Keep your environment free of stagnant water – Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can breed in flowerpots, open buckets of water, discarded containers and old tires. Blocked roof gutters, open fish bowls, bird baths and artificial ponds can also become mosquito breeding sites.
According to the approved indication, QDENGA is recommended for individuals aged 4 to 60 years. Your doctor can determine whether the vaccine is suitable for you based on your health status.
No. According to the manufacturer, pre-vaccination screening for previous dengue infection is not required before receiving QDENGA.
Yes. People who have previously had dengue infection can still receive the vaccine to help protect against future infections caused by other dengue virus serotypes.
No. Vaccination should be combined with mosquito control measures, including using repellents, wearing protective clothing, eliminating stagnant water, and using mosquito screens or nets.
The dengue virus has four different serotypes. Infection with one serotype does not provide complete protection against the others, and a subsequent infection may increase the risk of severe disease due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
The approved vaccination schedule for QDENGA consists of two doses given three months apart to provide optimal protection.
You can consult a general physician, paediatrician (for eligible children), family physician, or infectious disease specialist to determine whether the dengue vaccine is appropriate for you based on your age and medical history.
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