QDENGA (TAK-003)

India has approved QDENGA (TAK-003) as the country’s first dengue vaccine, marking a major step in the fight against one of India’s most common
mosquito-borne diseases.

The two-dose vaccine, approved for people aged 4 to 60 years, protects against all four dengue virus types and does not require a prior blood test. Clinical trials involving more than 28,000 participants globally and additional studies in India found it to be safe and effective.

Takeda will manufacture the vaccine in India with Hyderabad-based Biological E., while India’s own dengue vaccine, DengiAll, is also in Phase III trials.

Administered three months apart, it significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and severe disease, and does not require prior blood screening before vaccination.
Dengue fever is caused by four distinct viral types (serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4), which are spread by the Aedes mosquito. If a person catches one type and recovers, they can still catch the other three later.
QDENGA is a “live-attenuated” vaccine, which means it uses weakened versions of all four dengue viruses. These weakened versions don’t cause the actual disease. Instead, they “teach” your immune system to build antibodies, allowing your body to quickly fight off the virus if you are exposed later.

EligibilityAge: The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 4 to 60.No Pre-screening Required: Unlike older dengue vaccines, QDENGA works effectively regardless of whether you have previously had dengue.

Important Restrictions: Because it contains live, weakened viruses, QDENGA is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for individuals with weakened immune systems.

Effectiveness – Clinical studies have shown that QDENGA is highly effective at preventing confirmed cases of dengue fever and drastically lowers the risk of severe illness. For instance, studies demonstrated an 80% reduction in confirmed dengue fever cases and a 90% reduction in hospitalizations in children and adolescents during the 12 to 18 months following the second dose. Recent long-term studies indicate that this protective immunity remains strong for up to 4.5 to 7 years.

Side EffectsMost side effects from the vaccine are mild to moderate and usually disappear within a few days. The most common reactions include: