DENGUE FEVER Vaccine - QDENGA (1 or 2 Dose)

Dengue fever is an unpleasant viral infection spread by bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are most active during daylight hours (unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria, that bite mainly at dusk and during the night).

Dengue fever is common throughout the tropics, including the Caribbean, South and Central America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

With the rise in global temperatures, sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Europe including southern France, Greece and Spain, and can be expected to increase.

Any traveller who visits an area that has a risk of dengue fever, is at risk of contracting dengue fever.

QDenga is a new travel vaccine that can prevent dengue fever.

IS THERE A VACCINE FOR DENGUE FEVER?

Yes, now there is a new vaccine available to prevent dengue fever called QDenga.

The course consists of two doses, given three months apart, and provides long lasting protection.

It is suitable for individuals aged 4 years and above. It is a live vaccine, and therefore it is not suitable for everyone.

It is too early to know how long protection will endure, but it is anticipated to be long-lasting. There are four strains of dengue (called serotypes). Serotypes 1 and 2 are most common, so effectiveness against them was most easily demonstrated in clinical trials,  but the vaccine is considered to protect against all four strains of the virus, and studies have shown it to be well-tolerated.

WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE A RISK OF DENGUE FEVER?

Over half the world’s population is at risk at dengue.

It is especially common in humid and tropical destinations including

• Latin America and Caribbean,
• Africa
• Australia
• The Pacific Islands,
• Asia
• and Southern Europe.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE FEVER?

Many individuals who contract dengue may have no symptoms, but some may become extremely unwell.

Symptoms of dengue fever include:

• fever,
• muscle pain,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• and a rash.

Whilst a large proportion of infections will be self-limiting, some individuals may develop a more severe illness – severe dengue fever which in some cases can be fatal.

Symptoms usually begin within 3 to 10 days following an infective bite.