Every year, India witnesses an outbreak of dengue during the monsoon season. Many cities in the country report frightening cases of dengue, which number in thousands. After battling the dengue menace for the last several years, India has developed a vaccine to deal with it, named DengiAll. The amazing thing is that its clinical trial has reached the third phase.
The Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday that ICMR and Panacea Biotec have started the third phase of clinical trials to develop a dengue vaccine in India. India’s indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll, has been developed by Panacea Biotec. The first person included in the trial for testing was vaccinated on Wednesday at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak.
The third phase clinical trial will be conducted at 19 sites in 18 states and union territories, involving more than 10,335 people.
What did JP Nadda say?
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The start of the third phase clinical trial of India’s first indigenous dengue vaccine marks a significant progress in our fight against dengue. It shows our commitment to protect the countrymen from this disease and also shows India’s capabilities in vaccine research and development.
He further added, “Through this collaboration between ICMR and Panacea Biotech, we are not only taking a step towards ensuring the health of our people but also strengthening our vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the health sector.
The first two phases of the trial were conducted in 2018-19
At present, there is no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine against dengue in India. In such a situation, developing it and getting it licensed will be a big deal for India. The first and second phase clinical trials of the Indian vaccine DengiAll formulation were completed in 2018-19, which gave good results.
India is among the top 30 countries affected by dengue
Dengue is a health concern for Indians. India is among the top 30 countries affected by dengue. In India, about 75-80 percent of infections are asymptomatic (this is a condition in which people are infected with dengue but do not show symptoms), yet they can spread the infection.
Symptoms appear in 20-25 percent of cases. Children are mostly affected by dengue. Children are also at higher risk of hospitalization and mortality.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)