QDENGA: Dengue Vaccine for People Aged 4–60 Years

Why in News?

India granted market authorisation to QDENGA (TAK-003) on 20 July 2026, making it the first approved dengue vaccine in India. The approval was granted through the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for use among people aged 4 to 60 years.

QDENGA offers a new preventive tool against dengue, a major public health concern in India. The country reported over 1.13 lakh dengue cases in 2025 and carries a significant share of the global dengue burden.

What is QDENGA Vaccine?

QDENGA (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by Japan-based Takeda.

Key Features QDENGA Vaccine

• Designed to provide protection against all four dengue serotypes.
• Approved in India for people aged 4–60 years.
• Can be administered regardless of previous dengue infection status, as per its approved indication.
• Does not require routine pre-vaccination dengue testing under this approach.

A live-attenuated vaccine uses a weakened form of a pathogen to stimulate a strong immune response without causing the disease in healthy recipients.

Manufacturing and Global Use

Takeda partnered with Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E in 2024 to expand QDENGA production. Biological E plans an annual manufacturing capacity of around 50 million doses. Since its first approvals in 2022, QDENGA has received authorisation in several countries, with millions of doses distributed globally.

Important Facts for Exams

• QDENGA (TAK-003): India’s first approved dengue vaccine.
• Developer: Takeda, Japan.
• Indian manufacturing partner: Biological E.
• DCGI: Drug Controller General of India.
• Dengue virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus.
• Dengue has four serotypes: DENV-1, 2, 3 and 4.
• QDENGA is a tetravalent, live-attenuated vaccine.
• Primary dengue vector: Aedes aegypti.
• Aedes aegypti also transmits Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
• Tetravalent vaccine: A vaccine designed to target four variants or serotypes of a pathogen.