Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 4: In a significant development that could reshape India’s battle against dengue fever, the country is inching closer to unveiling its first homegrown dengue vaccine. With the Phase-3 trial enrolment for Serum Institute of India’s “TetraVax-DV” nearly complete, hopes are running high ahead of the upcoming monsoon season when dengue cases traditionally peak.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne illness caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has long posed a public health challenge in India. The disease, known for causing high fever, debilitating muscle and joint pain, and in severe cases, dangerous complications like internal bleeding and organ failure, claims thousands of lives every year. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity are especially at risk.
The challenge of developing a vaccine lies in the virus’s complexity — dengue has four distinct serotypes. A successful vaccine must provide immunity against all four without worsening the illness through a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement. Previous attempts in other countries have met with limited success, making India’s progress even more notable.
Developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India, TetraVax-DV is a tetravalent vaccine that aims to provide protection against all four dengue virus strains. Using advanced recombinant technology, the vaccine is designed to build immunity without using a live virus, making it safer for public deployment.
The ongoing Phase-3 trials — the most crucial step in vaccine approval — began in 2023 and are being conducted across more than 20 locations in India, including both urban centres and rural pockets. Over 10,000 volunteers from various demographics have been part of the study, with early findings indicating promising safety and effectiveness.
Experts say this could be a major turning point in India's fight against dengue. If the final data holds strong, India may soon join the ranks of countries with a viable, domestic solution to a virus that has plagued its population for decades.
With monsoons approaching and health systems bracing for seasonal outbreaks, the potential launch of TetraVax-DV brings renewed optimism. Approval and rollout of the vaccine, once trials are complete, could help reduce the annual burden of dengue and save thousands of lives across the nation.