Dengue fever cases in Malaysia increased by 66% in Q1 2024 compared to the same quarter last year which also recorded an increase in deaths. Because of this, the first vaccine against dengue fever was launched in Malaysia yesterday.
The Qdenga vaccine produced by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Takeda can now be offered in clinics and hospitals in Malaysia after receiving approval from the country's Drug Control Authority. It requires two doses taken three months apart and it can be given to individuals four years of age and older. At the moment the price for the full dose of Qdenga has not yet been announced as it is subject to which clinics and hospitals wish to offer it.
In clinical trials conducted by Takeda, the vaccine successfully prevented up to 80.2% of symptomatic dengue cases in patients 12 months after receiving the full dose. After four years the level of effectiveness is still at 84.1%. Malaysia is one of more than 30 countries that allow the use of Qdenga vaccine to combat dengue fever.