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.
| About Dengue
· Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, which has four serotypes: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. · Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. · The primary vector for dengue transmission is the infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito, although transmission by the Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) has been observed in Europe. · Dengue can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby, through blood products, organ donation, and transfusions. · Dengue is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, mainly in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. |
