Dengue Vaccines
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4). It remains one of the most significant public health challenges in the Philippines, affecting thousands each year and leading to workplace absences, hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs.
Vaccination—alongside mosquito control and community hygiene—is one of the most promising long-term solutions to reduce dengue burden.
Affinity Vaccines continuously monitors the latest dengue vaccine developments and offers corporate and dependent vaccination programs once approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A. Dengvaxia® (Sanofi Pasteur)
Formulation:
Live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine containing virus strains representing all four dengue serotypes (DEN-1 to DEN-4), produced in Vero cells.
Packaging:
Lyophilized powder with pre-filled syringe of diluent (0.5 mL dose after reconstitution).
Dosage and Administration:
- Ages 9–45 years: Three doses of 0.5 mL each, given 6 months apart (at 0, 6, and 12 months).
Indications:
Active immunization against dengue disease caused by dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in individuals aged 9–45 years with documented prior dengue infection.
Contraindications:
- Persons without prior dengue infection (seronegative) due to increased risk of severe dengue upon later infection.
- Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or component.
- Immunocompromised individuals or pregnant women.
Storage / Cold-Chain Requirement:
- Store between +2°C and +8°C.
- Do not freeze.
- Protect from light.
- Use immediately after reconstitution.
Manufacturer:
Sanofi Pasteur S.A., France
Status in the Philippines:
Withdrawn from public use in the Philippines following controversies. However, Dengvaxia® remains approved and used in other countries for patients with confirmed previous dengue infection.
B. Qdenga® (Takeda Pharmaceuticals)
Formulation:
Live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine derived from dengue serotype 2 virus backbone (DENV-2), engineered to express structural proteins of serotypes 1, 3, and 4.
Packaging:
Lyophilized vaccine with separate pre-filled syringe of diluent (0.5 mL after reconstitution).
Dosage and Administration:
- Ages 4 years and older: Two doses of 0.5 mL each, administered 3 months apart.
Indications:
Prevention of dengue disease caused by any dengue virus serotype, regardless of prior dengue infection history. Approved for individuals 4 years and older in several countries, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to any vaccine component.
- Postpone vaccination during moderate or severe febrile illness.
- As with all live vaccines, caution is advised for immunocompromised individuals.
Storage / Cold-Chain Requirement:
- Store between +2°C and +8°C.
- Do not freeze.
- Protect from light.
- Use immediately after reconstitution.
Manufacturer:
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG, Japan
Status in the Philippines:
As of this writing, Qdenga® is under review by the Philippine FDA and not yet commercially available. Affinity Vaccines is preparing to offer Qdenga® upon regulatory approval to corporate clients, dependents, and community partners through safe, monitored immunization programs.
Corporate Vaccination Recommendations (Upon Availability)
Target Group | Recommended Vaccine | Notes |
Adults and children ≥ 4 years in endemic areas | Qdenga® | Two-dose series regardless of prior dengue history. |
Adults with prior confirmed dengue infection | Dengvaxia® (where approved) | Three-dose series with documented prior infection. |
Corporate dependents and high-risk field workers | Qdenga® | Ideal for family-wide protection once locally available. |
Travelers to dengue-endemic regions | Qdenga® | Protection across all four dengue serotypes. |
Affinity Vaccines Recommendation:
Once Qdenga® becomes available, it will be the preferred dengue vaccine due to its safety and efficacy profile across both previously infected and uninfected individuals.
Cold-Chain and Safety Assurance
All dengue vaccines will be handled within strict +2 °C to +8 °C cold-chain conditions, with temperature monitoring and DOH-compliant storage protocols.
Affinity Vaccines ensures licensed administration, patient screening, and post-vaccination monitoring for all corporate vaccination programs.
Current Status of Dengue Vaccines in the Philippines
The earlier Dengvaxia® program was discontinued several years ago in the Philippines due to a controversy.
A new vaccine, Qdenga®, has since been developed and approved in multiple countries, offering protection for both dengue-naïve and previously infected individuals.
Qdenga® is currently under regulatory evaluation in the Philippines, and its anticipated approval is expected to expand safe dengue prevention nationwide.
Affinity Vaccines remains ready to provide this vaccine through corporate and dependent immunization programs as soon as it becomes available locally.
Protect Your People. Protect Your Business. Strengthen Your Organization.
Dengue outbreaks cause widespread illness, hospitalization, and lost productivity every year.
Affinity Vaccines will soon offer Qdenga®, a new-generation dengue vaccine, as part of its corporate immunization portfolio—helping companies protect employees, dependents, and communities.
📩 Request for a Corporate Vaccination Proposal
Email: vaccines@affinity.com.ph