QDENGA
(TAK-003)
Prelims:
Science and Technology, Health
Mains:
GS Paper II – Health, Government Policies
and Interventions, GS Paper III - Science and Technology
Current
relevance:
The Drug Controller
General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to Takeda
Biopharmaceuticals India's QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue
vaccine approved in India.
Highlights:
1.
QDENGA (TAK-003) is India's first approved dengue vaccine,
developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals for the prevention of dengue
disease.
2.
Key Features:
i.
It is a
live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine.
ii.
Designed to provide
protection against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3,
and DENV-4).
iii.
It is approved for
individuals aged 4 to 60 years and is administered as a two-dose
vaccine, with the second dose given three months after the first.
iv.
Special Feature: Can be administered without prior dengue
screening and irrespective of previous dengue infection.
3.
About Dengue:
i.
Dengue is a
mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
ii.
It is transmitted
primarily through the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
iii.
Common symptoms
include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint
pain, skin rash, nausea, and vomiting.
iv.
Severe dengue may lead
to plasma leakage, bleeding, shock (Dengue Shock Syndrome), and organ
impairment.
v.
The management of
dengue is primarily supportive, with adequate fluid replacement being
the cornerstone of treatment, as no specific antiviral therapy is available.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/india-approves-first-dengue-vaccine-for-individuals-aged-4-to-60-years/article71244651.ece