India’s first dengue vaccine, DengiAll, reaches 70% enrolment in Phase III trials. It could protect against all four dengue virus strains.
In many Indian cities, the hum of fogging machines signals another dengue season. Each year, the disease sends thousands to hospitals and fills families with worry. However, this year brings a reason for hope.
India’s first homegrown dengue vaccine, DengiAll, has crossed a key milestone. More than 70% of participants for its Phase III trial have already enrolled.
Developed by Panacea Biotec and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the single-dose tetravalent vaccine targets all four dengue virus strains — DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Since these strains often circulate together, and sometimes infect the same person, the trial includes participants from zones where all four are active.
So far, over 7,000 of 10,500 volunteers have joined across 20 trial sites. Enrolment should finish by October 2025. After that, each volunteer will be monitored for two years to check safety, immune response, and effectiveness.
Currently, dengue care in India is only supportive. “There is no licensed dengue vaccine or specific antiviral in the country,” says Dr. Jadhav from ICMR. “Treatment focuses on hydration, monitoring, and symptom relief.” Therefore, prevention through vaccination could be a game-changer.
The need is urgent. In 2024, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded 5.73 lakh confirmed dengue cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform. This highlights the importance of rapid vaccine development.
Government Action
The Union Health Ministry, the Director General of Health Services, and the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) monitor dengue outbreaks year-round. They also issue early warnings and guide states on control measures.
Under the National Health Mission, states and UTs receive funds for epidemic readiness, vector control, and awareness campaigns. These measures include:
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Fogging and insecticide spraying
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Training health workers
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Public awareness drives to reduce mosquito breeding
In addition, India operates a network of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals and Apex Referral Labs for free dengue testing. The government has also issued national treatment guidelines to standardise care and improve hospital readiness.
Looking Ahead
DengiAll has shown a good safety record in earlier trials. If Phase III results are positive, India could soon have its first affordable dengue vaccine. Consequently, millions of people could face the monsoon season without the constant fear of infection.
Medicare News will continue to track updates on DengiAll and other advances in India’s fight against dengue.
