WHO prequalifies second dengue vaccine: Know all about it
A day before National Dengue Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the prequalification of a second vaccine for dengue, called TAK-003, made by the Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
In Short
- The WHO has prequalified a second dengue vaccine called TAK-003
- The TAK-003 vaccine has been made by the Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- TAK-003 can be administered to children aged 6 to 16 years
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has prequalified a second vaccine for dengue, made by the Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Known as TAK-003, it is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue.
This means that the TAK-003 contains weakened forms of the four types of dengue virus, helping the body to build immunity without causing the disease.
WHO prequalification of a vaccine means that the health agency has assessed and approved the vaccine for quality, safety, and efficacy. This process ensures that the vaccine meets international standards and can be used globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Prequalification allows the vaccine to be included in procurement by UN agencies and other global health organisations, helping in wider distribution and use in public health programs.
Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification, said, "With only two dengue vaccines to date prequalified, we look forward to more vaccine developers coming forward for assessment, so that we can ensure vaccines reach all communities who need it."
TAK-003 can be administered to children aged 6 to 16 years, with a high dengue burden and transmission intensity.
The vaccine should be administered in a 2-dose schedule with a 3-month interval between doses, as per the WHO.
The WHO had previously prequalified the CYD-TDV vaccine against dengue, developed by Sanofi Pasteur.
The UK, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and Thailand have also approved TAK-OO3.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that is life-threatening in many cases. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.
It is estimated that there are over 100 to 400 million cases of dengue worldwide each year and 3.8 billion people living in dengue-endemic countries, most of which are in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Dengue cases are likely to increase and expand geographically due to climate change and urbanisation.
Symptoms of this disease include high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Severe dengue can cause belly pain, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, and extreme fatigue.