SINGAPORE: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the world's first dengue vaccine Dengvaxia for use in Singapore following a seven-month expedited review of the potential benefits and risks. Studies have shown that overall, the vaccine is effective at reducing dengue by 60%, and reducing severe dengue by 84%. The HSA therefore advises those who have not had dengue to speak with their doctors on whether or not they should get the vaccine. The Health Ministry does not recommend rolling out this dengue vacine as a national programme as it "would not be a clinically and cost-effective means to tackling dengue infection in Singapore". "The larger this number, the greater impact vaccination would have on reducing the number of dengue cases in Singapore," said Prof Ooi, who is also a scientific advisory board member on dengue for Sanofi.

Source: thestar October 04, 2016 12:45 UTC