Phase-3 trials of an indigenously built first-ever dengue vaccine will begin in August this year, with ICMR collaborating with drug-makers Serum Institute of India and Panacea Biotech. This phase is expected to evaluate the efficacy, along with the safety and immunogenicity of the tetravalent vaccine developed by the manufacturers.
India is moving closer to developing its first-ever vaccine against dengue, as the indigenous drug-makers Serum Institute of India (SII) and Panacea Biotech have applied for collaboration with the Indian Institute of Medical Research’s (ICMR) collaboration on Phase-3 trials.
According to news reports, the trials, due to begin in August this year, will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy, along with safety and immunogenicity of the tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by the manufacturers.
According to the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, 1,93,245 cases of dengue and 346 deaths were reported across the country in 2021. Last year, more than 30,000 people contracted dengue with the numbers rising during the peak monsoon season.
Every year, from July to November, an upsurge in cases of dengue disease can be observed mainly because of water logging, and unhygienic areas. The disease has a seasonal pattern, which means that the peak comes after the monsoon.