India is set to get its first approved dengue vaccine, with Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories announcing a partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to promote and distribute Qdenga in the country’s private market.
The vaccine is expected to be introduced in India during the first half of 2027. However, the price has not yet been decided. According to Takeda, the immediate priority is to complete the remaining local regulatory and commercial processes before distribution begins.
Qdenga received marketing authorisation from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in July 2026. The approval covers people between the ages of 4 and 60 years.
Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s will handle promotion and distribution of the vaccine across India’s private healthcare market for both paediatric and adult vaccination. The companies will also work on healthcare-professional engagement and awareness about dengue prevention.
Takeda said availability through the private market would provide eligible people with an option to access the vaccine once it is commercially launched. The company also indicated that inclusion in India’s public immunisation programme remains a long-term objective, although there is no immediate announcement on such a programme.
The development comes as dengue continues to pose a significant public-health challenge in India. Dengue infections occur across several parts of the country and can be seen throughout the year. The virus has four major serotypes—DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
A nationwide dengue surveillance study by the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network found that all four serotypes are circulating across multiple regions of India. The study also reported that some patients were infected with more than one dengue serotype at the same time.
Qdenga is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes. It uses a DENV-2 backbone and incorporates structural components from DENV-1, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
The vaccine is administered in two doses, with the second dose given three months after the first.
Its development has been supported by a large international clinical programme involving at least 60,000 participants across eight dengue-endemic countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The pivotal Phase 3 TIDES trial also followed participants over several years to assess the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The seven-year data reported by the companies indicated continued efficacy against dengue caused by the four virus serotypes.
Dr Reddy’s said the planned introduction of Qdenga represents an important development for India’s healthcare sector. The company said it aims to make the vaccine available to eligible individuals through the private market after the necessary processes are completed.
For Indian consumers, the next key details will be the final launch date, availability across vaccination centres and the price of the two-dose course. These details are expected to be announced closer to the commercial rollout in 2027.
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