- The World Health Organization recommends Dengvaxia to dengue-endemic countries
- A WHO vaccine position paper containing the recommendations will be published on July 2016
- Dengvaxia is licensed in Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil and El Salvador
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the introduction of Dengvaxia, the world’s first ever dengue vaccine, in countries where dengue is endemic.
“The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization reviewed CYD-TDV in April 2016 and recommended countries consider introduction of the vaccine only in geographic settings (national or subnational) with high endemicity. A WHO vaccine position paper will be published outlining WHO recommendations in July 2016,” the SAGE noted, as quoted by Charina Clarisse Echaluce of Manila Bulletin.
The Sanofi Pasteur, Dengvaxia’s manufacturer, welcomed the WHO’s suggestions.
“We welcome these recommendations for Dengvaxia from SAGE, the advisory group to the WHO, for vaccines and immunization,” said Elias Zerhouni, MD, President of global R&D, Sanofi.
According to the official, SAGE further validate the value of the vaccine; which is now licensed in Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil and El Salvador for prevention of dengue from all four serotypes in individuals nine to 45 years old.
“WHO SAGE recommendations further validate the scientific and medical value of Dengvaxia and send a clear message to endemic countries about the strong public health benefit to be gained by introducing the dengue vaccine in integrated disease management efforts to combat their dengue burden,” he added.
The SAGE’s recommendations are based on the technical review of clinical data from 25 clinical studies that were conducted in 15 different endemic and non-endemic countries around the world, including more than 40,000 study participants.
The dengvaxia’s anticipated impact on dengue fever disease burden is expected to stem from the vaccine’s proven ability to prevent eight out of 10 dengue hospitalizations; and up to 93 percent of severe dengue cases in study participants.
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