India's first dengue vaccine Qdenga may arrive in 2027: Can it stop outbreaks? Who can take it? What we know so far

Published 10 August 2026 · health

India's first dengue vaccine Qdenga is likely to be available in the country from early next year. Chandrakant Lahariya, India’s one of the leading infectious

India's first dengue vaccine Qdenga is likely to be available in the country from early next year. Chandrakant Lahariya, India’s one of the leading infectious diseases experts, said on his WhatsApp channel this week that Qdenga is expected to be available in India in the first half of 2027 "Qdenga is not yet available in India. Expected availability is in the first half of 2027, likely through a private healthcare setting," stated an infographic shared by Lahariya in his WhatsApp post on Monday, August 10. Also Read | Doctors weigh in on the new dengue vaccine, Qdenga Takeda Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company that manufactures the dengue vaccine Qdenga, also said in July that it expects Qdenga to become available in India in the first half of 2027, according to a Reuters' report. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease and one of the fastest-spreading vector-borne illnesses globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record 14.4 million dengue cases and 11,201 deaths worldwide in 2024, including 232,425 cases and 233 deaths in India. What is Qdenga? Qdenga is a live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare describes it as "a live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine developed using recombinant DNA technology." Dengue is a disease caused by dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Qdenga contains weakened versions of these four dengue virus serotypes, so it cannot cause dengue disease. It is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes, and is indicated for the prevention of dengue in children and adults aged 4 to 60 years. Is Qdenga approved in India? Yes. According to the government's press release on July 21, 2026, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has already granted marketing authorisation for Qdenga in India. The approval was granted after a comprehensive scientific evaluation of the vaccine's quality, safety and efficacy in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs Rules, 1945. Also Read | India gets first dengue vaccine as CDSCO approves QDENGA Is Qdenga right for you? Who's at risk? Qdenga is the first dengue vaccine approved in India for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals aged 4–60 years. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a press release on July 21, 2026, “The vaccine is indicated for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals 4 to 60 years of age.” However, Dr Chandrakant Lahariya advises people to consult a doctor first to determine whether Odenga is right for them.