Use of dengue vaccine expected to start in 2016 - Dr Subramaniam

The use of vaccine to prevent dengue in Malaysia is expected to start in 2016, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said even though the vaccine would be available soon, the ministry would be reviewing the data obtained on the vaccine over a two-year period.

"The vaccine will only be available to the public from 2016 after we have reviewed the data obtained," he told reporters after launching a 1Malaysia Indian Community Health programme at SJK(T) Kuala Kubu Bharu, Sunday.

He said to date, the vaccine was found to only have a 56 per cent success rate.

"The vaccine is for four dengue steroetypes, namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4, but control on DEN-2 is unsatisfactory at only around 35 per cent. This forced us to review the data analysis to ensure its efficacy," he said.

On Friday, a private company announced that the much awaited vaccine for dengue will be made available in several countries.

Subramaniam said the vaccine would only be made available to the public if its success rate was at 80 per cent and above.

In this regard, the ministry does not want to place too much hopes on the vaccine and instead to continue carrying out overall prevention programmes.

He called the local authorities and the people to ensure cleanliness of the surroundings especially at dengue hotspots.