The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the
world's first dengue vaccine for use in Singapore following a
seven-month expedited review of the potential benefits and
risks.
It will be made commercially available in several
months' time.
Studies have shown that overall, the vaccine is
effective at reducing dengue by 60 per cent, and reducing severe
dengue by 84 per cent.
However, it is much less effective against the two
dengue strains most common in Singapore.
The HSA's decision to approve the vaccine was based on
24 clinical studies carried out by Sanofi Pasteur - the company
manufacturing the vaccine - which involved 41,000 people.
The vaccine is approved for use in anyone aged 12 to 45
years, as studies showed that the risk of hospitalisation from
dengue was reduced in those above 12 years old but also showed that
the vaccine was not very effective in those aged above 45.
The HSA said it is prepared to revise its age
guidelines when more data is available.
Importantly, the vaccine was also 81 per cent effective
in people who had already had a dengue infection previously,
compared to 38 per cent in those who had never had the virus.
Younger children who had never had dengue also ran a
higher risk of hospitalisation if they contracted the virus after
being vaccinated, although this was not seen in older children.
The HSA therefore advises those who have not had dengue
to speak with their doctors on whether or not they should get the
vaccine.
The vaccine was launched late in 2015 and is currently
approved for use in nine other countries, including Indonesia and
the Philippines.
ST