Why is it in the news?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted prequalification to TAK-003, a new dengue vaccine developed by Takeda, a pharmaceutical company based in

More about the news

• TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine that contains weakened versions of the four serotypes of the dengue virus.
• It is the second dengue vaccine to receive WHO prequalification, with the first being the CYD-TDV vaccine.
• WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 for children aged 6-16 years in areas with a high burden of dengue and high transmission intensity.

About WHO Prequalification

• The WHO Vaccine Prequalification process, established in 1987, ensures the quality of vaccines distributed by UN purchasing agencies.
• Vaccines are evaluated based on relevant data, sample testing, and WHO inspection of manufacturing sites to be included in the list.
• However, inclusion in the list does not signify WHO’s approval of vaccines and manufacturing sites, which falls under the authority of National Regulatory Authorities.
• Prequalification enables procurement by UN agencies (including UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), thereby facilitating global access to vaccines.
• The list of prequalified vaccines also includes those for other vector-borne diseases like malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies.