‘This is a big deal’: Dengue fever vaccine arrives in Australia
New guidance from ATAGI on the Qdenga vaccine goes further than recommendations made in other countries.
The first dengue fever vaccine has arrived in Australia after a four-year wait, with ATAGI advising it can be used more widely than in other countries.
The live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine, Qdenga, became available for GP practices to order on 1 October.
ATAGI recommends the vaccine for patients travelling to an endemic area if they have a history of dengue fever, are planning long-term or repeated travel or potentially even for a short trip where this is deemed appropriate following an individual risk–benefit assessment.
Dengue fever is endemic in southern Asia, South and Central America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific region.
