No more “dengue season”: for Indians, breakbone fever becomes year-round scourge – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
- India has approved QDENGA, the first dengue vaccine cleared by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to combat the viral infection.
- The vaccine's approval follows clearance from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the primary regulatory body for pharmaceuticals in the country.
- The shift in transmission patterns has eliminated the concept of a distinct dengue season.
India has approved QDENGA, the first dengue vaccine cleared by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to combat the viral infection. According to reports from The Hindu and News On AIR, the vaccine arrives as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, warns that dengue is no longer a seasonal threat in India but has become a year-round scourge.
The vaccine’s approval follows clearance from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the primary regulatory body for pharmaceuticals in the country. Down To Earth reports that the CDSCO’s decision allows the vaccine to be deployed in a landscape where the Aedes mosquito, which transmits the virus, is increasingly active outside traditional monsoon windows.
The shift in transmission patterns has eliminated the concept of a distinct dengue season. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, indicates that the disease now persists throughout the year, increasing the burden on the public health system and requiring more consistent prevention strategies than previous seasonal campaigns provided.
Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approval for QDENGA
The Times of India reports that a city-based private university conducted clinical trials for the dengue vaccine prior to its regulatory clearance.
The DCGI’s approval process evaluates the safety and efficacy data submitted by the manufacturer. By granting clearance, the CDSCO has transitioned QDENGA from a trial-phase candidate to a licensed medical tool available for use in India.
Public Health Impact of Year-Round Dengue Transmission
Dengue, often called breakbone fever due to the severe joint and muscle pain it causes, has historically peaked during and after the rainy season. However, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, notes that this pattern has broken, leading to a permanent presence of the virus in many regions.
According to the reporting from News On AIR and The Hindu, the vaccine represents the first systemic attempt to provide immunization against the virus in India.