Bhubaneswar: QDENGA, India’s first dengue vaccine approved by the Centre, has a strong Odisha connection. The Preventive and Therapeutic Clinical Trial Unit (PTCTU) of a private university in Bhubaneswar conducted its clinical trial. Dr E Venkata Rao, professor of community medicine and head of the PTCTU said he was involved in the trial programme.“The Phase III trial of the vaccine was conducted in India. We conducted the trial in the state last year. It is a good vaccine, and its side effects are minimal or nil. It is a private company vaccine and will be sold in the open market. Govt adoption of the vaccine under the universal immunisation programme will take time as several rules and guidelines have to be followed,” Rao said.He said several countries had approved the vaccine before India. “Even people who have suffered from dengue earlier can take this vaccine. So far, we do not know its exact cost. Mass production may reduce the cost,” he added.Rao said the govt usually focuses on precautionary measures against dengue, including awareness drives, every year. “If someone suffers from dengue, he or she gets treatment. But there was no vaccine to protect a person from dengue. Now there is an option. Odisha, being a dengue-prone state, will benefit from this vaccine,” he said.With Odisha grappling with seasonal spikes in dengue cases every monsoon, the Centre’s approval of QDENGA is expected to boost prevention efforts in the state. The DCGI-cleared vaccine, developed by Japanese drugmaker Takeda, can be administered to people aged 4 to 60 years without prior dengue screening, potentially strengthening Odisha’s fight against the mosquito-borne disease.According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha recorded 39,983 dengue cases and one death between 2021 and 2025. The data shows 2023 was the worst year for dengue in the five-year period.Dr Rabindra Nath Mishra, director of public health, said the Centre’s approval of the new vaccine was a positive development as it would provide a safety net against dengue. “But we have not received any communication from the Centre about this vaccine,” he said.
