Live attenuated vaccine Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy (live attenuated vaccine). Women of childbearing potential should avoid pregnancy for at least one month following vaccination. Contraindicated during breast-feeding.

Dengue vaccine

Brand names: Qdenga, Dengvaxia

Dengue vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine used to help prevent dengue disease caused by dengue virus serotypes in defined populations.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 0.5 mL per dose, two-dose schedule (at 0 and 3 months)

Route: Subcutaneous injection (preferably upper arm/deltoid region)

Frequency: Two doses given at 0 and 3 months

Indicated from 4 years of age; adult dose is the same 0.5 mL two-dose (0 and 3 months) schedule. The need for a booster dose has not been established. No dose adjustment required in elderly ≥60 years. Must NOT be injected intravascularly, intradermally or intramuscularly. Do not mix in the same syringe with other vaccines/parenteral products. Reconstitute lyophilised vaccine with solvent before administration (see §6.6).

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any excipient, or to a previous dose of Qdenga
Congenital or acquired immune deficiency, including those on immunosuppressive therapy such as high-dose systemic corticosteroids (e.g. ≥20 mg/day or ≥2 mg/kg/day prednisone for ≥2 weeks) within 4 weeks prior to vaccination, or other medicinal product with known immunosuppressive properties including chemotherapy
Symptomatic HIV infection, or asymptomatic HIV infection with evidence of impaired immune function
Pregnancy
Breast-feeding

Side effects

Injection site pain (50%)
Headache (35%)
Myalgia (31%)
Injection site erythema (27%)
Malaise (24%)
Asthenia (20%)
Fever (11%)

Interactions

Immunoglobulins or blood products containing immunoglobulins (blood/plasma): wait at least 6 weeks, preferably 3 months, after end of treatment before administering Qdenga (to avoid neutralisation of the attenuated viruses)
Should not be administered to subjects receiving immunosuppressive therapy

Clinical monograph

How it works

It stimulates an adaptive immune response that generates antibodies and immune memory against dengue virus antigens, providing protection on subsequent natural exposure.

Prescribing in practice

Vaccine eligibility depends on prior dengue exposure and product-specific criteria, because vaccination of individuals without previous infection can be associated with more severe dengue on later exposure with some products, so follow current SPC and national recommendations.
As a live vaccine it is generally contraindicated in pregnancy and in significantly immunocompromised individuals.
It does not protect against other mosquito-borne infections, so personal bite-avoidance measures remain essential.

Monitoring

Observe for immediate hypersensitivity reactions after administration and ensure the full vaccination schedule is completed.

Counselling the patient

Continue measures to avoid mosquito bites, as the vaccine does not prevent all dengue or other infections.
Complete the recommended course of doses to achieve protection.

Evidence & guidelines

Use is guided by current SPC, MHRA, and national immunisation recommendations informed by serostatus-stratified vaccine trial data.

Reference: UKHSA Green Book; NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro; SmPC; Confirm identity and dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC) and NICE. Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Drugs

Yellow fever vaccine · Live attenuated vaccine

Pathways