India Begins Phase 3 Trial for Indigenous Dengue Vaccine

In a major step to combat dengue, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have launched the Phase 3 clinical trial for DengiAll, India's first indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine. This marks a crucial milestone in the nation's efforts to address dengue, a disease that currently has no licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment in India.

Scope of the Trial: The Phase 3 clinical trial will take place at 19 sites across 18 States and Union Territories, involving over 10,335 healthy adult participants. These participants will be monitored over a period of two years. The first dose of the vaccine was administered at the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak.

Challenges in Vaccine Development: One of the major challenges in developing an effective dengue vaccine is achieving high efficacy against all four serotypes of the dengue virus, which often circulate or co-circulate in various regions. The successful development and deployment of this vaccine could significantly impact public health in India by reducing the incidence of dengue.

Government Support: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda emphasized the significance of this trial, noting that it represents a crucial step forward in India's battle against dengue. He emphasized that the collaboration between ICMR and Panacea Biotec not only aims to safeguard the health and well-being of the population but also aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting self-reliance in the healthcare sector.

Background on the Vaccine: The tetravalent dengue vaccine strain (TV003/TV005), initially developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, has shown promising results globally. Previous trials of the Indian formulation in 2018-19 have further strengthened hopes for a successful outcome in this Phase 3 trial, potentially leading to a much-needed solution to the dengue challenge in India.