According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TAK-003 is the second dengue vaccine to be prequalified. This is a live attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of four serotypes of the virus that causes dengue.
“The prequalification of TAK-003 is an important step in expanding global access to dengue vaccines as it can now be purchased by United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization Against Dengue (PAHO),” said WHO Regulatory Director . and pre-qualified doctor Rogerio Gaspar in a statement.
WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6 to 16 years in areas with high disease burden and dengue transmission. The vaccine must be given in two doses, three months apart.
The WHO prequalification list also includes the dengue vaccine CYD-TDV, developed by Sanofi Pasteur.
WHO expects dengue cases to expand geographically due to climate change and urbanization.
Climate change and risks of virus spread
“To date, only two dengue vaccines have been prequalified, and we look forward to other vaccine developers coming forward for evaluation so we can ensure vaccines reach all communities in need,” Dr. Gaspar added.
Dengue fever, the most common symptoms of which are fever and joint pain, is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
The highest number of dengue fever cases was reported in 2023 in the Americas: 4.5 million cases, including 2,300 deaths.
Although many DENV infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms, there are also more severe forms that can lead to death.
WHO estimates that between 100 and 400 million cases of dengue occur worldwide each year.
About 3.8 billion people live in countries where dengue fever is endemic, mainly in Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The largest number of dengue cases was reported in 2023 in the Americas: 4.5 million cases, including 2,300 deaths. WHO expects dengue cases to expand geographically due to climate change and urbanization.
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