India Approves Sale of Dengue Fever Vaccine

New Delhi (AFP) – India has approved the sale of the Japanese Dengvaxia dengue fever vaccine in its markets for the first time, according to an announcement by the Indian Ministry of Health.

The ministry stated in a press release that the vaccine, manufactured by Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and licensed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, is recommended in two doses for individuals aged 4 to 60.

The World Health Organization notes that approximately half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting dengue fever, with between 100 million and 400 million cases reported annually worldwide.

Since 2021, India has recorded more than one million dengue cases, including at least 1,500 deaths.

The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rash, and in rare cases, death.