In a major breakthrough in India’s fight against dengue, the country has approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA, offering new hope against one of the nation’s fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseases.

The vaccine, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The approval comes as India continues to witness a steady rise in dengue cases, particularly during the monsoon season, when lakhs of people are infected every year and thousands require hospitalisation.

Health experts believe the availability of an approved vaccine could significantly strengthen India’s efforts to reduce severe dengue infections and hospital admissions.

What is QDENGA?

QDENGA is India’s first approved dengue vaccine and does not require pre-vaccination blood testing to determine whether a person has previously been infected with dengue.

The vaccine can be administered to:

• People who have never had dengue.
• Individuals who have previously recovered from dengue.
• Those who have been infected with dengue in the past.

This makes the vaccine suitable for a broad section of the population without the need for prior screening.

Who Can Receive the Vaccine?

The vaccine is approved for individuals between 4 and 60 years of age.

The vaccination schedule consists of two doses, with the second dose administered three months after the first.

Why is the Vaccine Important for India?

India accounts for one of the world’s highest dengue burdens. According to health reports, nearly one-third of global dengue cases are reported from India.

Over the past two decades, dengue infections in the country have increased nearly 11-fold. In 2025, India reported approximately 1.13 lakh dengue cases, highlighting the growing public health challenge.

The approval of QDENGA is expected to strengthen dengue prevention efforts alongside mosquito control measures and public awareness campaigns.

Approved in More Than 40 Countries

Takeda’s QDENGA vaccine has already been approved in 41 countries, including members of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several countries in Southeast Asia.

The vaccine has also received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification, allowing it to be considered for procurement by international health agencies and immunisation programmes.

Why Dengue Remains a Serious Health Threat

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue is among the world’s most significant vector-borne diseases and continues to pose a major public health challenge.

Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle and joint pain

In severe cases, dengue can lead to plasma leakage, dangerously low blood pressure, internal bleeding, shock, and even death if not treated promptly.

Public health experts have stressed that while vaccination is an important milestone, preventing mosquito breeding, maintaining sanitation, and seeking early medical care remain essential in reducing the burden of dengue across the country.