India approves Takeda’s QDENGA, its first dengue vaccine for ages 4-60

Takeda's QDENGA has been approved for people aged 4–60, offering a new prevention tool as dengue cases and the wider disease burden remain a public health challenge.

Takeda's tetravalent dengue vaccine becomes the first approved in India, marking a major milestone in the country's fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

It is India’s first dengue vaccine approved for use in individuals regardless of prior exposure, without pre-vaccination testing, the multinational healthcare company stated

Takeda’s two-dose QDENGA vaccine, approved by the Drug Controller General of India, can be administered without prior dengue screening and is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes

India has taken a major step in the fight against dengue after the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved Takeda's QDENGA (TAK-003). The country's first dengue vaccine offers a major step forward in the fight against one of the country's most widespread mosquito-borne diseases. Developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, the vaccine has already been approved in several countries and is expected to help reduce the burden of severe dengue infections.Delhi: Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, says, "The dengue vaccine is entirely made in India, although the technology was initially developed by the NIH in the USA. They were unable to fully develop the vaccine, but an Indian company has successfully completed it. ICMR is… pic.twitter.com/ACSGxmqsFT— IANS (@ians_india) October 16, 2024 What is QDENGA?India has done something significant against dengue and its approval came after India continues to shoulder one of the world's highest dengue burdens, with cases increasing sharply over the past two decades due to urbanisation, climate change, changing mosquito habitats and population growth. But what exactly is QDENGA?QDENGA, also known as TAK-003, is a live, attenuated dengue vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4). It is administered as two doses, with the second dose given three months after the first.One of its biggest advantages is that it can be given regardless of whether a person has had dengue before, unlike some earlier dengue vaccines that required proof of prior infection.Benefits of the vaccineClinical studies have shown that QDENGA helps reduce the risk of hospitalisation and severe dengue, which can lead to complications such as dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. While no vaccine provides 100% protection, it is expected to significantly lower the severity of the disease and reduce pressure on healthcare systems during dengue outbreaks. Unlike the older dengue vaccines, QDENGA does not require people to undergo blood testing to determine whether they had previously dengue.Availability in IndiaThe vaccine has already been approved in more than 40 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina. India now joins that list at a time when dengue is emerging as one of the country's biggest seasonal public health threats.Although the vaccine has received regulatory approval in India, it may not be immediately available across hospitals and clinics. Its commercial launch will depend on manufacturing, supply, pricing and distribution plans. Health authorities are also expected to issue detailed recommendations regarding eligible age groups and vaccination guidelines.Representation Image Jabalpur's Veteran Doctor Succumbs To Dengue; First Screening Test Showed Negative ResultWhy it matters?India records thousands of dengue cases every year, especially during the monsoon season. Rising temperatures, urbanisation and changing weather patterns have contributed to an increase in mosquito breeding and dengue transmission. Experts believe that vaccination, combined with mosquito control measures, can play a key role in reducing the disease burden.

The vaccine has been approved for individuals aged 4-60 years and can be administered without prior dengue screening, marking India's first vaccine-based strategy against the disease