Context
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to QDENGA (TAK-003), making it India’s first approved dengue vaccine.
About QDENGA (TAK-003)
- QDENGA (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda.
- It is designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4).
- It is the first dengue vaccine approved in India and is indicated for individuals aged 4 to 60 years.
- The vaccine is administered in two doses, with the second dose given three months after the first.
- It can be administered irrespective of prior dengue infection and does not require pre-vaccination screening.
- QDENGA has received regulatory approval in more than 40 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia, and Argentina.
About Dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and transmitted mainly through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It is a major public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions.
Salient Features of Dengue
- The dengue virus has four serotypes—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4.
- Most infections are mild, but severe dengue can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and death.
- No specific antiviral treatment is available; management depends on early diagnosis, supportive care, and timely medical intervention.
- Dengue is endemic in more than 125 countries, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing vector-borne diseases.
- India accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, highlighting the importance of vaccination, vector control, disease surveillance, and public awareness to reduce transmission and prevent outbreaks.
