In Focus Podcast | QDENGA: Can the new Japanese vaccine end the dengue menace in India?

India has finally approved a vaccine for dengue. This is significant because India, in the last five years alone, has recorded over 1 million cases and at least 1,500 deaths due to dengue. Dengue is hyperendemic in India, which makes it a huge public health challenge. A vaccine, in this context, could make a big difference. Named QDENGA, the new vaccine has been developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, a Japanese pharma company. It is expected to be sold in India in the first half of 2027. How was this vaccine developed, how safe is it, how effective will it be in India, and can it prevent the frequent outbreaks of dengue that we’ve seen in recent years? Guest: Dr Gagandeep Kang, Director-Enterics, Diagnostics, Genomics and Epidemiology, Global Health at the Gates Foundation, Seattle Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Weston