• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
In response to longstanding health concerns regarding dengue cases, health experts in the Philippines are now pushing for the entry of TAK003, a second-generation dengue vaccine manufactured by Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc.
Dr. Alexis Millan of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) stated during a roundtable discussion that the vaccine had been studied by experts for seven and a half years, emphasizing its effectiveness and safety.
Since there is still no cure for dengue, Millan added that the vaccine will not completely eliminate the risk of dengue in recipients. Instead, it will help prevent severe dengue cases.
“This will just prevent us from having severe dengue. It also decreases the chance of hospitalization due to dengue,” she stressed, citing that the vaccine could reduce the risk of severe dengue by up to 60 percent.
According to Takeda’s file presented to the media, TAK003, the second-generation vaccine, can be administered to individuals both with and without a history of dengue.
Meanwhile, the first-generation vaccine, CYD-TDV, which is available in 20 countries, is limited to persons with previous dengue infections. It was previously licensed in the Philippines but has not been licensed since 2019.
TAK003 is now licensed in more than 40 countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Takeda submitted its report and vaccine samples to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 for approval.
“All papers have been submitted to the FDA, but we are not yet sure when it will be approved. We applied in 2023,” Millan emphasized.
Once approved and available in the country, the vaccine will be accessible through private healthcare providers only.*
