Dengvaxia
Dengvaxia is a vaccine that lowers your risk for getting dengue disease from a virus called dengue virus. It's not a travel vaccine and can only be used by children who already had dengue and live in an area where dengue is common. It's given as an injection under the skin and you'll need to get 3 doses 6 months apart to complete the vaccination.
What is Dengvaxia?
What is Dengvaxia used for?
- Prevention of dengue disease in children age 9 to 16 years old who've previously been infected with dengue virus and live in an area where dengue is common.
How Dengvaxia works
Dengvaxia is a live vaccine that protects you from dengue virus, which is a virus that causes a condition known as dengue disease (or "dengue"). The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies against the virus, which will attack the virus if it ever infects your body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Dengvaxia
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Side effects are more common with the first dose of Dengvaxia.
- Headache (30-40%)
- Pain at injection site (22-32%)
- Muscle pain (20-30%)
- Lack of energy (19-25%)
- General sickness feeling (16-25%)
- Fever (7-9%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Swelling and redness at injection site
Dengvaxia serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, throat closing, face swelling
The following Dengvaxia side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Unusual weakness or fatigue
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Pros and cons of Dengvaxia
Pros
- Works well to prevent severe dengue
- The vial stopper isn't made with latex, ok to use by people with latex allergies
Cons
- Needs to be given as 3 injections, 6 months apart
- Not a travel vaccine, it's only given to people who already live in areas where dengue is common
- Can't use in people who have a weak immune system because of a medical condition or medications
Pharmacist tips for Dengvaxia
- Your child can experience side effects for up to 14 days after getting Dengvaxia. Some of the most common side effects include headache, soreness at the injection site, and tiredness. Your child might experience less side effects with each following dose of the vaccine.
- Your child might need to stay at the clinic for a short time after getting the vaccine. As with all vaccines, there's a risk for fainting after getting Dengvaxia. Your child's provider might want to monitor your child for dizziness to make sure they're ok.
- Your child will need 3 total injections of Dengvaxia to be protected. Each injection will be 6 months apart. Please mark your calendar with the dates for your child's injections to help you and your child remember when to go into the clinic.
- If your child needs a TB test, make sure they get it before or at least 1 month after receiving Dengvaxia. There's a high risk for a false negative result (the test says your child is negative for TB when they're actually positive) if they get a TB test within a month of getting Dengvaxia.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your child's immunizations and show it to your child's provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Dengvaxia, to make sure they're receiving all vaccines on time.
- Ask your child's provider what you should do if your child is due for other vaccines. Your child might not be able to get all vaccines on the same day as when they get Dengvaxia.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on Dengvaxia.
- If your child experiences a severe reaction to Dengvaxia, you or your child's provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about Dengvaxia
Dengvaxia is only approved for children age 9 to 16 years old who've previously been infected with dengue virus and live in an area where dengue is common.
No, Dengvaxia isn't a travel vaccine. It's only approved for children who already live in an area where dengue is common. To lower your risk for dengue while traveling, take all necessary precautions to avoid getting bit by an infected mosquito, such as using insect repellent (e.g., DEET) and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
The first dengue infection is rarely deadly, but the second infection can be much more serious. So if a child who've never had dengue is given Dengvaxia and they get infected with dengue again later, they're at risk for hospitalization and severe, life-threatening disease. If you're not sure whether or not your child had dengue, your child's provider can check their medical record or do a lab test to check.
Dengvaxia lowers your risk for dengue, which can be a life-threatening condition. Dengue is most commonly spread to humans through a bite by infected mosquitoes, but it's possible for pregnant women who are infected to spread to their babies. Rarely, dengue can be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or through a needle stick injury. Typical mild symptoms include fever, aches and pains (eye, muscle, joint, or bone pain), rash, nausea, and vomiting and last for 2 to 7 days. About 1 in 20 people can get severe symptoms within a few hours, such as stomach pain or tenderness, bleeding from nose or gums, vomiting blood or blood in stool, shock, and even death.
Talk with your child's provider if your child has a poor immune system from either a medical condition or medications to see if Dengvaxia is still a possible option for them. Dengvaxia can't be taken by people who have a very low immune system because the vaccine can make them seriously sick.
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Risks and warnings for Dengvaxia
Dengvaxia can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of severe dengue
- Risk factors: People not previously infected with dengue
Dengvaxia should only be given to people who've previously had dengue. This is because a first dengue infection is rarely deadly, but a second infection can be much more serious. So if a person who've never had dengue is given Dengvaxia and they get infected with dengue again later they're at risk for hospitalization and severe, life-threatening disease. If you're not sure whether or not your child had dengue, your child's provider can check their medical record or do a lab test to check.
Maintain necessary precautions
Just like all vaccines, receiving Dengvaxia doesn't guarantee that your child won't get infected with the dengue virus. For the best protection against dengue, your child should receive Dengvaxia as well as take all necessary precautions to avoid getting bit from an infected mosquito. A few ways to do this include using insect repellent (such as DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting, and using air conditioning, if available.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting before or after vaccines in the past
As with other vaccines, your child is at risk for fainting with Dengvaxia. Signs of fainting include changes in vision, burning sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your child's provider know if your child has fainted with vaccines in the past, your child might need to sit down and stay at the clinic to be monitored after they get the vaccine.
Dengvaxia dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 vial | $71.74 | $71.74 |
Typical dosage for Dengvaxia
The vaccine is given in 3 doses. Each dose is injected under the skin, given 6 months apart (at month 0, 6, and 12).
How much does Dengvaxia cost?
$71.74
Dengvaxia contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Dengvaxia will not be safe for you to take.
- Severely weakened immune systems from medications or medical conditions