Dengue fever is a silent and dangerous threat that anyone can contract. As is well known, there is currently no specific treatment for the disease, so treatment is symptomatic. Importantly, ‘once infected, there is a chance of reinfection,’ and worse, ‘the symptoms become more severe with each subsequent infection.’ So how can we prevent or reduce the risk of infection? What is the best prevention method besides avoiding mosquito bites? The answer is vaccination. Today, we will look at how many types of ‘dengue vaccines’ there are and which type we should get.
How many types of dengue vaccines are there?
Currently, dengue vaccines in Thailand are divided into 2 types:
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Three-dose dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia)
This is the first dengue vaccine approved for use in 21 countries worldwide and the only dengue vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Type of vaccine: Dengvaxia is a live attenuated vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur. The weakened virus in the vaccine replicates and stimulates the body to produce immunity against the virus.
Vaccination schedule: The vaccine is injected into the upper arm, with doses spaced 6 months apart. After completing all 3 doses, it provides protection against dengue for 5-6 years.
Effectiveness: Protects against all 4 dengue virus serotypes by 80%, reduces disease severity by 80%, and decreases hospitalization rates by 75%.
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Two-dose dengue vaccine (QDenga)
This is the latest dengue vaccine developed using the backbone of dengue virus serotype 2, which is the most prevalent strain in Thailand.
Type of vaccine: Qdenga is a live attenuated vaccine produced and imported from Germany. The weakened virus in the vaccine replicates and stimulates the body to produce immunity against the virus.
Vaccination schedule: The vaccine is injected into the upper arm, with doses spaced 3 months apart.
Effectiveness: Protects against all 4 dengue virus serotypes by 80%, reduces hospitalization rates, and decreases disease severity by 90.4%.
Which dengue vaccine is suitable for us?
|
Dengvaxia |
Qdenga |
| Suitable for those with a history of dengue fever | Can be given to both those who have and have not had dengue fever before |
| For those who have never had dengue fever, immunity testing is recommended before vaccination | No need for immunity testing before vaccination |
| Can be used in individuals aged 6-45 years | Can be used in individuals aged 4-60 years |
| 3 doses, each 6 months apart | 2 doses, each 3 months apart |
Important information before getting the dengue vaccine
- Avoid vaccination when having a fever or feeling unwell
- Avoid vaccination during pregnancy or while breastfeeding
- It is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks between this vaccine and other live vaccines
- Possible side effects include pain, bruising, swelling, and itching at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, and mild fever
Knowing the benefits of prevention, reducing the chance of infection and disease, and even if infected, helping to lessen the severity, if you are at risk or have children at risk in your household, receiving the dengue vaccine is highly beneficial. If you are still unsure which vaccine to choose, consulting a doctor will help you select the most appropriate vaccine.
