India approves first dengue vaccine QDENGA for ages 4 to 60

New Delhi: India has granted market authorisation to its first dengue vaccine, marking a major step in the country’s fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s QDENGA (TAK-003) for use in individuals aged 4 to 60 years, the company said in a press release.

How the vaccine worksQDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes. It is administered as a two-dose regimen, with the doses given three months apart. According to Takeda, the vaccine can be administered regardless of prior dengue infection and does not require prior dengue screening before vaccination.

SignificanceDengue cases rise sharply in India during and after the monsoon season each year. Until now, the country did not have an approved dengue vaccine. With QDENGA’s approval, health authorities will have a new preventive tool to reduce hospitalisations and severe disease across age groups most vulnerable to infection.

The rollout plan, pricing, and inclusion in government immunisation programs are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Health in the coming weeks.