India gets its first dengue vaccine QDENGA: Who can take it, how it works and why it matters
India has approved its first vaccine to help prevent dengue, marking a significant step in tackling one of the country’s most widespread mosquito-borne diseases. Japanese biopharmaceutical company Takeda on Monday announced that its dengue vaccine, QDENGA, has received market authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 4 to 60 years and can be administered regardless of whether a person has previously had dengue. Unlike some earlier dengue vaccines, it does not require pre-vaccination screening, making it easier to administer.
Who can receive the vaccine?
QDENGA has been approved for people between the ages of 4 and 60 years. According to Takeda, the vaccine is given as two injections of 0.5 ml each, with the second dose administered three months after the first.
The company said the vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes, which continue to circulate across different parts of India.
Clinical trials supported approval
According to Takeda, the approval is based on findings from its global clinical development programme, which included 19 Phase I, II and III clinical trials involving more than 28,000 participants in dengue-endemic and non-endemic countries.
The company also cited data from a Phase III clinical trial conducted in India, which evaluated the vaccine’s safety and immune response among participants aged 4 to 60 years.
Seven-year data shows continued protection
Takeda said the latest seven-year follow-up data indicate that the vaccine continues to offer protection against dengue infection and hospitalisation across all four virus serotypes.
“Since its launch in 2022, QDENGA has been approved in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed globally. This approval marks an important step forward in strengthening dengue prevention in India,” said Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets at Takeda.
Why this approval matters for India
India carries one of the world’s highest dengue burdens, accounting for nearly one-third of global dengue cases, according to the company. Rapid urbanisation, changing climate conditions and widespread mosquito breeding continue to contribute to recurring outbreaks across the country.
Medical Affairs Head for Southeast Asia and India Cluster at Takeda, Goh Choo Beng, said the vaccine complements existing dengue control measures such as mosquito control, disease surveillance, community awareness and public health interventions.
WHO recommendation
Takeda said QDENGA is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in dengue-endemic regions with high transmission and does not require pre-vaccination screening.
The vaccine has also received WHO prequalification, indicating that it meets international standards for quality, safety and efficacy. This also makes it eligible for procurement by global agencies such as UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
