Loading article content...
On 20 July 2026, India took a major step in the fight against dengue by approving its first dengue vaccine, Qdenga. Japan-based pharmaceutical company Takeda developed the vaccine, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved it for use in India.
The vaccine is approved for people aged 4 to 60 years and protects against all four dengue virus types: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. This is especially important for India, where multiple dengue virus types circulate and trigger outbreaks across the country.
Takeda has partnered with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to distribute Qdenga in India’s private market. However, the vaccine will not be available immediately. According to Hindustan Times, the companies plan to launch it in the first half of 2027 after completing the required regulatory and quality checks.
Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s will exclusively promote and distribute Qdenga in India’s private market for children and adults. Takeda will manufacture and import the vaccine and will continue to handle its distribution in the public market.
The price of the dengue vaccine, Qdenga, has not been announced in India yet.
Unlike some dengue vaccines, Qdenga does not require people to get tested for a previous dengue infection before vaccination.
The vaccine has already been approved in 42 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also prequalified the vaccine. Globally, more than 24 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed. Safety monitoring in countries using the vaccine has also shown a favourable safety profile, with no major safety concerns reported.
According to a nationwide dengue surveillance study by the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Indian Council of Medical Research, all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) are circulating across different parts of India. The study also found that 1 in 14 dengue patients had more than one type of dengue virus at the same time.
The approval comes at an important time, as dengue continues to be a major health concern in India. The disease spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and can cause high fever, severe headache, body and joint pain, nausea and skin rashes. While many people recover with timely care, severe cases may require hospitalisation and close medical attention.
Dengue can also bring unexpected medical expenses, especially if you need hospitalisation. The right health insurance can help you manage eligible costs for hospitalisation, diagnostic tests and treatment, subject to the policy’s coverage, exclusions, and terms and conditions.
Qdenga is expected to enter India’s private market in 2027, marking a major step in the fight against dengue. Until it becomes widely available, people should continue to prevent mosquito breeding, protect themselves from mosquito bites, and seek medical care if symptoms appear.
India faces dengue outbreaks every year, and the approval of its first dengue vaccine brings new hope for better prevention and protection.
