Malaysia launches the first dengue vaccination
PETALING JAYA: The introduction of the first dengue fever vaccine in Malaysia has bolstered the nation’s defences against the illness.
On Tuesday, June 11, Takeda Malaysia officially introduced Qdenga, a dengue tetravalent vaccine (live attenuated).
The vaccine is intended to provide protection against all four serotypes of the dengue virus and was licenced by the Drug Control Authority (DCA).
Four years of age and older can take it; two doses should be given at three-month intervals.
Dr. Lynette Moey, country general manager of Takeda Malaysia & Singapore, remarked that the severity of dengue fever cannot be emphasised.
“At-risk populations have suffered greatly as a result, with Asia bearing a disproportionate share of the global dengue crisis,” she stated during the vaccine’s media debut here.
Dengue is one of the top 10 dangers to world health, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which highlights how urgent it is that we all work together to address this urgent problem.
“We are acutely aware of the need to confront health threats with resilience and innovation in light of the enduring impact of the recent pandemic,” the speaker continued.
The vaccination, according to Dr. Moey, will be offered at private hospitals and general practitioner offices.
“We are unable to reveal the price. When queried about the price of the vaccine, she responded, “The healthcare facilities will determine their price.”
It would be “very equitable” in terms of cost, according to her.
According to Dr. Moey, the business is willing to collaborate with the Health Ministry to offer the vaccine in the public health arena.
Clinical trials, she claimed, had successfully avoided 80.2% of cases of symptomatic dengue at 12 months following vaccination.
She also stated that the vaccine’s efficacy after 4.5 years was 84.1% against hospitalisation and 61.2% against symptomatic cases.
More than 30 nations, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the European Union, have approved the vaccine.
Dengue incidence increased by 86.3% in Malaysia last year compared to 2022.
There were 28 fatalities and 41,565 cases reported nationwide in the first quarter of this year.