New vaccine to protect Brazilians against dengue fever

A new vaccine developed in Japan is set to be introduced in Brazil to combat the spread of dengue fever.

Private vaccination centers nationwide will soon administer the vaccine, which consists of two doses and offers broad protection against the dengue virus.

Approved by the National Health Regulator (Anvisa) in March, the vaccine will be available for application in the coming days.

The Qdenga vaccine, manufactured by Takeda Pharma, contains four virus serotypes and has demonstrated efficacy in preventing dengue.

Brazil experienced a worrisome surge in dengue cases in early 2023, with over 301,000 suspected cases reported in the first three months of the year.

This figure surpasses the 210,000 infections reported during the same period in 2022.

Severe cases of the disease reached 2,900, resulting in 73 fatalities caused by mosquito bites.

Dengue is a disease that affects people of all ages, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash.

In severe cases, it can lead to organ damage, respiratory distress, and shock.

The new vaccine, Qdenga, is suitable for individuals aged four and above, making it the first broad-spectrum vaccine against dengue in Brazil.

The previously used Dengvaxia was limited to patients who had already contracted the disease. Qdenga requires two doses administered three months apart.

Initially, the vaccine will be available exclusively at private vaccination centers. The price of the two-dose course varies by state, ranging from approximately US$73.3 to US$104.7.

In São Paulo, the authorized maximum price is US$79.45.

Anvisa emphasized that although the vaccines have been approved for inoculation, they will continue to be closely monitored for adverse events through pharmacovigilance efforts.

In previous studies, the overall efficacy of Qdenga against dengue among individuals without prior infection was 66.2%, while among those with prior infection, it was 76.1%.

The vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity were evaluated in a large-scale Phase 3 randomized study conducted in dengue-endemic countries.

Introducing this new vaccine promises to improve Brazilians’ protection against dengue fever, providing a much-needed defense against the disease’s devastating impact.