The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 44 No. 2 - Vaccinations in Adults

Overview of Dengue and Dengvaxia®—Optimising the use of Dengvaxia® in clinical practice

Leong Hoe Nam
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 44 No 2 - Vaccinations in Adults
36 - 39
1 May 2018
0377-5305
Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is caused by the transmission of the dengue virus (DENV) through the bite of the infected mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. There are 4 serotypes of DENV (1–4), and all of them circulate in Singapore. Pre-adolescents and young adults are at the highest risk of dengue in this region. In Singapore, the dengue vaccine is approved for the prevention of dengue caused by DENV 1–4 in individuals aged 12–45 years living in endemic areas. The vaccine is effective in reducing symptomatic, severe and hospitalised dengue, with clear benefits in seropositive individuals.