Karnataka doctors hail QDENGA, India's first dengue vaccine, as seasonal cases spike

India’s first dengue vaccine, QDENGA, has been approved for people aged 4–60, and doctors welcome it as Karnataka faces a seasonal dengue surge, though it will not be available this season. The Takeda vaccine is given in two doses three months apart and covers all four dengue serotypes without prior screening. Studies show roughly 80% fewer symptomatic cases and 90% fewer hospitalisations in the first year. Karnataka sees dengue spikes each monsoon. Severe infections can cause bleeding, fluid accumulation, and death, while many cases are asymptomatic. The vaccine primes immunity against all serotypes, reducing severe disease risk.