India's first dengue vaccine to arrive in 2027: What is Qdenga and how does it work?

India is expected to get its first dengue vaccine in the first half of 2027 after a deal between Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical. The vaccine, Qdenga, protects against all four dengue virus serotypes and is given in two doses.

In Short

• It targets all four dengue serotypes in people aged four to 60
• The vaccine is given in two 0.5 ml doses three months apart
• Pre-vaccination testing is not needed before receiving Qdenga, according to source

India could soon have an additional tool to fight dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease that affects large parts of the country, particularly during and after the monsoon season. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has signed an agreement with Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical to promote and distribute Takeda’s Qdenga dengue vaccine in India. The vaccine is expected to become available in the first half of 2027, following regulatory and market authorisation processes.

The development comes at a time when dengue continues to remain a public health concern in India. The disease is mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which can breed in stagnant water. Seasonal outbreaks can put pressure on hospitals and healthcare systems, making prevention an important part of dengue control.

WHAT IS QDENGA?

Qdenga is a dengue vaccine developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical. According to the source, it is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes and is intended for children and adults between four and 60 years of age.

The vaccine is administered as two injections of 0.5 ml each, with the second dose given three months after the first. One feature of the vaccine is that it can be given regardless of whether a person has previously been exposed to dengue, meaning pre-vaccination testing is not required.

WHEN WILL THE DENGUE VACCINE BE AVAILABLE IN INDIA?

The vaccine is expected to be available in India during the first half of 2027. However, its availability will follow the necessary regulatory and market authorisation processes.

Qdenga received approval from India’s drug regulator in July 2026, according to the source. The agreement between Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Takeda will allow the vaccine to be promoted and distributed in the Indian market.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE VACCINE?

The vaccine has shown protection against confirmed dengue infections. The source states that Qdenga showed 80.2 per cent efficacy against confirmed dengue cases one year after the second dose in a late-stage trial.

The vaccine also showed 90.4 per cent efficacy against dengue-related hospitalisations after 18 months, meeting a secondary endpoint of the study. These figures come from the clinical trial data cited in the source and describe vaccine performance in the study population.

WHY DOES INDIA NEED A DENGUE VACCINE?

Dengue remains a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, including India. Outbreaks are often concentrated during and after the monsoon, when stagnant water can provide breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes.

According to provisional data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, India recorded 1,13,450 dengue cases and 95 deaths in 2025. The figures highlight the continuing burden of the disease in the country.

A vaccine could therefore become another preventive measure alongside mosquito control and other public health efforts. However, vaccination does not replace measures such as preventing stagnant water and reducing mosquito breeding sites.

WHAT DOES THE DEVELOPMENT MEAN FOR DENGUE PREVENTION?

The planned introduction of Qdenga gives India another potential option for dengue prevention. The vaccine is designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes, while its two dose schedule is spaced three months apart.

Takeda has also said that it is working towards increasing global manufacturing capacity to 100 million doses annually by 2030. The company has reported that dengue cases in India have increased substantially over the past two decades.

With Qdenga expected to enter the Indian market in 2027, dengue prevention could see an additional layer of protection. Until then, controlling mosquito breeding, avoiding mosquito bites and following public health guidance remain important ways to reduce the risk of infection.

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