India Approves First Dengue Vaccine, Qdenga

India approved Qdenga, a dengue vaccine developed by Takeda, for use in individuals aged 4 to 60, marking a milestone in the country’s fight against the mosquito-borne disease. The Drugs Controller General of India granted market authorisation this week, with the vaccine expected to be available in the first half of 2027 through private healthcare facilities. Qdenga is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine, designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes, and demonstrated 80.2% overall efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue in trials.

While a significant step, experts caution that vaccination alone won’t eliminate dengue, as controlling the mosquito vector remains crucial. India accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, with cases rising eleven-fold in the past two decades.

The approval follows similar authorizations in 43 countries and WHO prequalification, paving the way for broader access. Other dengue vaccines exist, but Qdenga’s approval adds another tool to combat the disease, alongside preventative measures.