DOH: NEW DENGUE VACCINE MAY BE APPROVED WITHIN THE YEAR

QDENGA vaccine of Japan might be approve as a new dengue vaccine in the country (Photo courtesy of Guillaume Souvant/Philippine Star)

It is possible that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve the licensing of the new second generation vaccines against dengue this year. Several doctors groups are already calling for QDENGA to be approved because of the threat of dengue this rainy season. 

According to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, in 2023 the Japanese company Takeda Pharmaceuticals applied for a certificate of production registration (CPR) for their QDENGA vaccine. But they are still waiting for approval from the FDA. 

“If they already applied last year, they may be approved anytime this year. Don't worry, the new vaccine will arrive. The important thing now is for people to know that dengue cases are on the rise and we can control the vectors in many ways,” Herbosa stated.

“We are just waiting for the FDA. The FDA is still studying the requirements Takeda submitted and once they are approved, the vaccines will come here,” he added.

Herbosa noted that the best approach to stop the spread of dengue is still vector control. Some of these preventive measures as searching for and destroying mosquito breeding places, using insect repellents, and fogging or spraying local hotspots or outbreak areas.

“The solution is not a vaccine, but vector control, this is the important solution to dengue during the rainy season, because during that season, even if you vaccinate a lot of people, it’s useless because you need two doses. So, our solution to our current dengue season is not a vaccine, but vector control,” Herbosa said.

In 2017, the first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, was covered by controversy, due to the possible threat of more severe symptoms.

Source: Philippine Star

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