Dengue Vaccine Could Increase or Worsen Dengue in Some Settings

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, September 1, 2016


According to new public health research, the only approved vaccine for dengue may actually increase the incidence of dengue infections requiring hospitalization rather than preventing the disease if health officials aren't careful about where they vaccinate. In the study, researcher's analyzed data from vaccine trials conducted in 10 countries with more than 30,000 participants as well as recently published data on the long-term follow-up of these participants.

The researchers found that while the vaccine can reduce illness and hospitalization by 20 to 30 percent in places where there is high transmission of dengue, it may actually significantly increase illness and hospitalization if used in locations where there is lower transmission of the virus.


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