India has granted approval for its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA, developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has authorised the vaccine for use in individuals aged 4 to 60 years, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce the growing burden of dengue.
QDENGA is approved for eligible individuals regardless of whether they have had dengue before. It also eliminates the need for pre-vaccination screening, allowing vaccination without testing for previous dengue infection.
The vaccine is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus strains—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
India’s approval comes as dengue cases continue to rise, driven by rapid urbanisation, climate change, expanding mosquito habitats and population growth. The country accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, while the disease remains a major public health concern in more than 125 countries.
QDENGA has already received regulatory approval in over 40 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina. It has also secured World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification, confirming that it meets international standards for quality, safety and efficacy. This status also enables procurement by international agencies such as UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The approval of QDENGA marks an important advancement in India’s dengue prevention strategy. As seasonal outbreaks continue to challenge public health, the availability of a widely approved vaccine could strengthen efforts to reduce infections and improve disease control across the country.