DEVELOPMENT OF DENGUE VACCINES OR DRUGS THAT MAY BECOME VIABLE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms He Ting Ru
MP for Sengkang GRC

Question No. 3114

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Dengvaxia vaccine is recommended and routinely offered to recovered dengue patients who fit the eligibility criteria; (b) whether the Ministry tracks the number of Dengvaxia vaccinations administered; and (c) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the development of potential dengue vaccines or drugs that may become viable for public consumption.

Written Answer

Dengvaxia is currently the only dengue vaccine approved in Singapore for individuals aged 12 to 45 years.  However, the vaccine is not recommended for individuals who have no prior infection, because of the increased risk of developing severe dengue, should they get infected with dengue later in life. Due to Singapore’s relatively low dengue prevalence, most people are ineligible to receive the vaccine. As such, Dengvaxia vaccination is not an effective way to control dengue at the population level and Singapore does not track the number of people who have taken the vaccine.

Other than Dengvaxia, there are approximately six dengue vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical development, with Takeda’s tetravalent (i.e. targeting all four dengue strains) dengue vaccine (TAK-003) being the most advanced candidate. Takeda has submitted its dengue vaccine candidate for registration in Singapore, and the application is currently being reviewed by HSA. 

MOH will continue to monitor the development of the dengue vaccines and therapeutics as part of a multi-pronged approach to dengue control in Singapore.