The world’s first dengue vaccine could be available in the second half of 2015, a French drug maker reported Monday as a late-stage clinical study showed that it was highly effective against severe cases of the disease.
“We plan to submit the vaccine for licensure in 2015 in endemic countries where dengue is a public health priority. Our goal is to help meet the [World Health Organization’s] objectives to reduce dengue mortality by 50 percent and morbidity by 25% by 2020,” said Olivier Charmeil, chief executive of vaccines subsidiary Sanofi Pasteur.
The study enrolled 20,869 children and adolescents from areas of Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico and Puerto Rico where dengue is endemic. The vaccine had a 64.7% efficacy against infection in children who received at least one dose.
Mexico could be the first country to market the new vaccine. The head of Mexico’s commission on health risks said in September the vaccine will be fast-tracked for availability across the country.
Source: Reuters
