dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) at a glance
Medicine class
Live attenuated viral vaccine covering four dengue serotypes.
Licensed use
Prevention of dengue disease from age 4, subject to official recommendations.
Administration
Given under the skin, preferably in the upper arm, by a healthcare professional.
Availability
Not routinely recommended in the UK; some private travel clinics and occupational health services offer it.
Mosquito precautions
Vaccination does not replace mosquito-bite precautions.
What is dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) used for?
Licensed to prevent dengue disease from age 4. UK recommendations are narrower and focus on people with likely previous dengue infection who will travel to risk areas or may be exposed through work.
Travel-related prevention for selected people with likely previous dengue infection.
Occupational prevention for selected people exposed to dengue virus, such as relevant laboratory workers.
How does dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) work?
The weakened vaccine viruses replicate locally and stimulate antibody and cellular immune responses against all four dengue serotypes. Protection may be incomplete or decline over time.
How to take dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated)
A trained healthcare professional reconstitutes the powder using only the supplied solvent and injects it under the skin, preferably in the upper arm. It must not be injected into a vein, muscle or the skin itself, or mixed with another vaccine in the same syringe.
Tell the clinician about previous vaccine reactions, immune-system disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding and current or recent medicines.
An acute severe fever may require postponement; a minor infection such as a cold does not automatically prevent vaccination.
Continue using repellent, protective clothing and other mosquito-bite precautions.
dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness or swelling
- Headache or muscle pain
- Feeling unwell, weak or feverish
- Nose or throat infection symptoms
- Joint pain or flu-like symptoms
- In younger children, reduced appetite, sleepiness or irritability
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, severe dizziness or collapse: call 999
- Rapid swelling beneath the skin, particularly around the face or throat: seek urgent help
- Unexpected bruising, bleeding or red-purple skin spots: obtain prompt medical assessment
- Severe or persistent eye pain: seek medical advice
dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) in pregnancy
This live vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant, may be pregnant or is planning pregnancy should discuss vaccination timing with the prescriber before vaccination.
dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) while breastfeeding
The product-specific UK information contraindicates this vaccine during breastfeeding because transfer into milk and risk to the infant are unknown.
dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated) interactions
Current and recent medicines, vaccines and blood products should be reviewed before vaccination.
Immunosuppressants, including systemic corticosteroids and chemotherapy
Use is contraindicated with relevant immunosuppression; vaccination timing after treatment requires individual clinical assessment.
Immunoglobulins, blood or plasma
Antibodies may neutralise the vaccine viruses and reduce the immune response, so vaccination timing must be planned.
Yellow fever vaccine
It may be given at a separate site, but reduced dengue antibody responses have been observed and their clinical significance is unknown.
Common questions about dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is Qdenga routinely recommended in the UK?
No. It may be considered for selected people with likely previous dengue infection who face travel-related or occupational exposure.
Does it replace mosquito-bite precautions?
No. Repellent, protective clothing and other bite-prevention measures remain necessary because protection is not guaranteed.
Can immunocompromised people receive it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.