FDA approves first vaccine for dengue, with restrictions

The FDA just approved the first vaccine for dengue fever. The vaccine — called Dengvaxia and manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur — has generated a lot of controversy. After examining long-term patient data, Sanofi said in November 2017 that the vaccine offered protection for those who have had the disease at least once, but in children who have never been infected, the vaccine increased the risk of severe infection. The FDA is limiting Dengvaxia’s use to those aged 9-16 who have had dengue before and who live in parts of the U.S. where the disease is endemic (Puerto Rico and some of the other territories). The vaccine, intended to protect against the four subtypes of dengue, was approved for use in Europe last year, although with fewer restrictions.