Thailand is taking a significant step in combating dengue fever by initiating a large-scale clinical trial for a new vaccine targeting children. Set to begin on April 4 in Nakhon Phanom province, the study will involve 35,000 children aged 7 to 10, regardless of their prior exposure to dengue.
Approved by the National Communicable Disease Committee, the trial aims to evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness and determine its potential inclusion in Thailand’s universal healthcare system. According to Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), the testing is expected to conclude within three years. If successful, the vaccine could be integrated into the national immunization program.
Dr. Nakorn Premsri, Director of the National Vaccine Institute, emphasized that while the trial is promising, the process of adding the vaccine to the universal healthcare scheme requires careful evaluation. “Approval will depend on the subcommittee on immunization’s review of the test results and cost-effectiveness,” he explained.
Developed by a Japanese pharmaceutical company and registered with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the vaccine is a live-attenuated type, similar to the measles vaccine. If proven effective, it could play a crucial role in reducing dengue infections among children in Thailand.
