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21 July 2026

India approves QDENGA dengue vaccine

The approval of the first dengue vaccine in India is a significant public health policy development that directly relates to government interventions in the health sector and advancements in medical science.

1 min read Day 1 of 5 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • DCGI has granted market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s QDENGA (TAK-003), the first dengue vaccine approved in India.
  • Target demographic: Individuals aged 4 to 60 years.
  • Vaccine type: Live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine covering all four dengue virus serotypes.
  • Administration: Two-dose regimen with a three-month interval between doses.
  • No pre-vaccination screening required; effective regardless of prior dengue infection history.
  • Clinical basis: Approval supported by 19 global clinical trials (Phase I, II, and III) involving over 28,000 participants.
  • Efficacy data: 80.2% against virologically confirmed dengue (12 months post-second dose) and 90.4% against hospitalisation (18 months post-second dose).
  • Public health context: Dengue cases in India have increased nearly 11-fold over the last two decades, with India accounting for approximately one-third of the global burden.
  • Global status: QDENGA is approved in 43 countries across Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Part of a longer story

This is day 1 of 5 in Approval of Qdenga dengue vaccine in India, which has been running since 21 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the significance of the approval of the first dengue vaccine in India in the context of the country's rising disease burden and the challenges of managing vector-borne diseases. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The introduction of new vaccines for endemic diseases is a critical component of public health strategy. Analyze the role of clinical trial data and regulatory oversight in ensuring the efficacy and safety of new medical interventions in India. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following best describes the QDENGA (TAK-003) vaccine recently approved by the DCGI?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-21/india-approves-qdenga-dengue-vaccine