Dengue vaccine

Dengue vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent dengue fever in humans.^[9] Development of dengue vaccines began in the 1920s, but was hindered by the need to create immunity against all four dengue serotypes.^[10] As of 2023, there are two commercially available vaccines, sold under the brand names Dengvaxia and Qdenga.^[11][12]

Dengvaxia is only recommended in those who have previously had dengue fever or populations in which most people have been previously infected due to phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement.^[13] The value of Dengavaxia is limited by the fact that it may increase the risk of severe dengue in those who have not previously been infected.^[14][13] In 2017, more than 733,000 children and more than 50,000 adult volunteers were vaccinated with Dengvaxia regardless of serostatus, which led to a controversy.^[15] Qdenga is designated for people not previously infected.^[16]

There are other vaccine candidates in development including live attenuated, inactivated, DNA and subunit vaccines.^[10]