Takeda’s dengue vaccine has been approved for use in Viet Nam in individuals without the need for pre-vaccination testing. — Photo courtesy of Takeda

Takeda's dengue vaccine has been approved by the Ministry of Health's Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), the first vaccine approved in the country for use in individuals regardless of previous dengue exposure and without the need for pre-vaccination testing.

Katharina Geppert, country manager of Takeda Vietnam, said the Ministry of Health’s approval of the company’s dengue vaccine marks a significant milestone in the collective fight against the mosquito-borne disease and is a pivotal moment for both Takeda and public health in the country.

Given the substantial health risk posed by dengue in the country, vaccine as an additional preventive tool to complement the existing measures in the integrated management of dengue holds great hope for reducing the burden of the disease, she said.

“We will continue collaborating with regulatory agencies, healthcare professionals, medical societies, academia, government agencies and other partners to make the dengue vaccine widely available and combat the growing burden of dengue in Viet Nam," she said.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that poses a significant global public health threat, with prevalence in over 125 countries.

On April 25, the Ministry of Health announced that the country has recorded over 16,000 cases of dengue fever, with one reported death.

Phạm Quang Thái, deputy head of the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Department under the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said the significant economic and societal impact of dengue extends beyond health risks to affect individuals and communities.

Dengue fever is very different from other infectious diseases, as it puts the entire population at risk, regardless of age or prior exposure to the disease.

Treatment costs can strain household incomes, while long-term psychological effects and social security implications further compound the challenges.

The escalating number of dengue patients has placed immense pressure on healthcare facilities in the country.

Apart from vector control, early detection, proper organisation of treatment, and strengthening of facilities and equipment are crucial in saving lives and reducing the mortality rate.

“The approval of this dengue vaccine is very much welcomed as it will enhance the methods for preventing and protecting the Vietnamese people from dengue," he said.

Takeda’s dengue vaccine will be available in vaccination centres across the country, starting September 2024.

The vaccine has been approved in more than 30 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

It has also been introduced into the national immunisation programmes of Brazil and Argentina. — VNS