India Approves First Dengue Vaccine! Eligible for People Aged 4 to 60

New Delhi: Every year, as the monsoon arrives, the outbreak of dengue intensifies. During the rainy season, dengue affects hundreds of thousands of people. Hospitals filling up with dengue patients has become a common occurrence, and in many cases, the patients’ condition becomes critical. This problem has been escalating year after year. Amidst this, there is welcome news for India: the country has approved its first vaccine to prevent dengue. Named QDENGA, the vaccine has been developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved it for individuals aged 4 to 60.

What is the QDENGA vaccine?
QDENGA is the first dengue vaccine to be approved in India. A key feature is that there is no need to test whether a person has previously contracted dengue before administering it; in other words, it can be given to anyone. It is suitable for those who have already had dengue as well as those who have never contracted the disease.

Who is eligible for this vaccine?
The vaccine has been approved for people aged 4 to 60. It requires a total of two doses, administered with a three-month interval between them. It is administered subcutaneously (under the skin).

Why is this approval so significant?
India is among the countries with the highest number of reported dengue cases. It is estimated that India bears approximately one-third of the global dengue burden. According to the company, reported dengue cases in India have increased nearly eleven-fold over the last 20 years. In 2025, over 113,000 cases were recorded in the country; however, experts believe the actual figure could be significantly higher.

Vaccine developed to protect against all four dengue serotypes There are four distinct serotypes of the dengue virus. QDENGA has been designed to provide protection against all four of them. According to the company, QDENGA has undergone the most extensive research to date, having been tested on over 28,000 people. Clinical trials showed it to be 80.2% effective in preventing dengue 12 months after the second dose. It also succeeded in reducing the risk of hospitalization due to dengue by 90.4%. Long-term data has also yielded positive results; the study found it to be 84.1% effective in preventing hospitalization due to dengue even after 4.5 years, with evidence indicating that its safety and efficacy are maintained for up to 7 years.

WHO recommendation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already recommended QDENGA. The WHO suggests that countries with a high risk of dengue could include this vaccine in their public vaccination programs. The vaccine has also received WHO prequalification, meaning it meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.

In how many countries has it been approved?
QDENGA has received approval in 43 countries so far, including India. According to the company, more than 32 million doses have been distributed worldwide. It has also been incorporated into public vaccination programs in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Indonesia.

Are precautions still necessary after vaccination?
Yes. Experts state that while the vaccine is a robust method of protection against dengue, taking precautions against mosquitoes remains essential. To do this: prevent water stagnation around your home, wear full-sleeved clothing, and use mosquito nets and mosquito repellents. If symptoms such as high fever, body ache, or a drop in platelet count appear, contact a doctor immediately.