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Qdenga, the first dengue vaccine approved in India, is getting closer to patients. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has signed a deal with Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical to distribute the vaccine across India, with availability expected in the first half of 2027. The move is significant given India accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden.
Qdenga is coming to India — and it's a big deal for public health.
Dr Reddy's Laboratories has inked a distribution agreement with Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical to promote and roll out Qdenga — the first dengue vaccine ever approved in India — across the country. India's drug regulator greenlit the vaccine in July 2026, and it's now expected to be available to patients in the first half of 2027.
Qdenga is a tetravalent live-attenuated vaccine, meaning it targets all four dengue virus serotypes. One of its standout features: it can be given regardless of whether someone has had dengue before, eliminating the need for pre-vaccination screening — a major logistical advantage in a country with massive dengue exposure.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: With India bearing nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, getting an effective, screening-free vaccine into distribution is a critical step toward curbing one of the world's fastest-growing vector-borne diseases.
