Developed by Japan’s pharma company Takeda, TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue.
- It is the second dengue vaccine to receive WHO prequalification, following the CYD-TDV vaccine.
- WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6–16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission intensity.
About WHO Vaccine prequalification
- It was created in 1987 to assure the quality of vaccines distributed by UN purchasing agencies.
- Vaccines showing positive outcomes after evaluation of relevant data, testing of samples and WHO inspection of relevant manufacturing sites are included in the list.
- However, inclusion in the list does not imply approval of vaccines and manufacturing sites by the WHO.
- Such approval is a prerogative of the National Regulatory Authorities.
- Yet, pre-qualification is an important step in the expansion of global access to vaccines as it enables procurement by UN agencies including UNICEF and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization).
- Other vector-borne disease for which vaccines are included in this list include malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, etc.
About Dengue
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