GENEVA, Switzerland: The World Health Organization (WHO) has authorized a second vaccine against dengue as outbreaks continue to surge across the Americas.
The newly approved vaccine, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, is recommended for children aged six to 16 years in areas with high rates of the disease. Known as Qdenga, this two-dose vaccine offers protection against all four types of dengue and was previously approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2022.
WHO’s endorsement allows for broader vaccine distribution, enabling donors and U.N. agencies to purchase it for deployment in poorer countries. Research indicates that Takeda’s vaccine is approximately 84% effective at preventing hospitalizations and 61% effective at reducing symptoms of the disease.
“This is an important step in expanding global access to dengue vaccines,” stated Rogerio Gaspar, WHO’s director for approvals of medicines and vaccines.
He highlighted that this is the second dengue immunization endorsed by the agency. The first was a vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur, which was later found to increase the risk of severe dengue in those not previously infected.
Dengue remains a significant health challenge, especially in roughly 120 countries in Latin America and Asia, with no specific treatments available. While most infections are mild, severe cases can cause internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. The WHO reported a significant spike in suspected dengue cases in the Americas, with 6.7 million cases noted last week-a 206 percent increase from the same period in 2023.
In response to the escalating crisis, Rio de Janeiro declared a public health emergency over its dengue epidemic in March. Brazil began administering the Takeda vaccine in March, aiming to inoculate at least three million people.
The increase in dengue cases over the past generation, which WHO attributes partly to climate change and the expanding habitat of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, underscores the urgent need for effective vaccination and global health strategies to combat this growing threat.
