WHO advises limiting use of Dengvaxia to people who had dengue

December 14, 2017

The World Health Organization (WHO) advised member-states to limit the use of the controversial dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, to those who had the dengue virus.

In a statement late Wednesday, the WHO said it is following the position of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety based on new evidence from the vaccine’s manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur.

"Dengvaxia prevents disease in the majority of vaccine recipients but it should not be administered to people who have not previously been infected with dengue virus," said the WHO.

It noted that latest findings of Sanofi Pasteur showed an increase in incidence of hospitalization and severe illness in vaccinated children who did not have dengue.

"The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety considered the company’s new results from clinical trial data analyses," said the WHO.

The WHO statement was issued as the Philippines pulled out Dengvaxia from the market and stopped its dengue vaccination program after Sanofi Pasteur's findings. At least 830,000 students have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia since the first quarter of 2016.

WHO said it is important for member-states which approved the use of Dengvaxia to enhance efforts to combat the disease.

"To minimize illness for seronegative vaccinated people, WHO recommends enhancing measures that reduce exposure to dengue infection among populations where the vaccine has already been administered," said the international health body.

"For vaccine recipients, who present with clinical symptoms compatible with dengue virus infection, access to medical care should be expedited to allow for proper evaluation, identification, and management of severe forms of the disease," added the WHO.

Since it became available in 2016, it should be noted Dengvaxia is licensed in 19 countries.

The Philippines was the first country to introduce and implement the dengue vaccine through the public health system. DMS