Malaysia still studying need for dengue vaccine - Health Ministry

Malaysia has to weigh in several factors before deciding on the use of the world's first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, for dengue fever treatment in the country.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said this was because there were now four types of viruses that could cause dengue fever in the country but the vaccine did not cover them all.

"There are DEN 1, DEN 2, DEN 3 and DEN 4. The vaccine might work on DEN 1 and 2 but not on DEN 3 and 4. "This vaccine might only work on children, aged nine years and above, but what about those children below that age?" he told reporters after launching the Second International Conference Table Top Exercise and Communication in Disaster Medicine (TOPCOM) 2016 here today. According to Hilmi, the specialists in the ministry were still conducting studies on the matter.

"However, the vaccine manufacturer wants Dengvaxia to be registered and it is in the process of registration. But then again, we are still studying it. If the vaccine is registered, it does not mean we will use it," he said.

Dengvaxia was developed by the French drugmaker Sanofi's Pasteur division.

It had been researching the tropical disease for over 20 years, spending some Euro 1.5 billion (RM7 billion ) on it as well as on manufacturing investments.

So far, the vaccine is licensed in Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil, El Salvador and Costa Rica.