WHO cautions use of dengue vaccine

Dengue vaccine is not for all and according to a review data of World Health Organisation (WHO) it has led to complications in children and three deaths have been recorded in the Philippines where the vaccine is being given. Due to this reason, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation have now stated that dengue vaccine will be given to only those who were confirmed to be infected with dengue disease.

The dengue virus has four sub-types and due to this reason there are chances of getting affected with dengue again which can be very severe and fatal. Dr Mohammed Hasan, a paediatrician said, “There is a coincidental connection that they have established. It is not confirmed that it was because of the vaccine. The review has found that those who did not have the disease before the vaccination have had a severe infection of dengue after the same. This is a concern. For the same reason, safety steps are being taken.”

The vaccine for dengue is being marketed by Sanofi under the brand name Dengvaxia and is the world’s first licensed vaccine against dengue.

While the vaccine is not introduced in India, there were 46 deaths recorded in India in 2017. The Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme stated that in 2016, there were 16,870 cases of dengue while in 2017 there were 28, 702 cases.