Dengue vaccine for foreigners/travelers in Thailand: Should I get it?
- A new type of dengue fever vaccine can be administered to both children and adults aged between 4 and 60 years.
- The vaccine prevents dengue fever from all serotypes at a rate of 80.2% and in preventing hospitalization at a rate of 90.4%.
- Simple and convenient to administer, requiring only 2 doses spaced 3 months apart. It can be given whether or not an individual has previously had dengue fever, eliminating the need for prior immunity screening.
- It is recommended that individuals who have recovered from dengue fever wait for a minimum of 6 months before receiving the dengue fever vaccine.
- The vaccine is safe, and the observed side effects are generally mild, such as localized pain at the injection site, headaches, and muscle pain. These side effects mostly resolve on their own within 1-3 days.
Dengue fever has 4 serotypes
The dengue virus has 4 serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Typically, dengue fever presents with mild symptoms or may even be asymptomatic. However, in some cases it can lead to severe symptoms, progressing to shock and even death. It is a disease that is difficult to predict whether an individual will experience mild or severe symptoms.
Reinfection can lead to more severe symptoms
If a second infection with the dengue virus occurs from a serotype different from the first infection, it may increase the risk of experiencing more severe symptoms. This is because a second infection triggers an immune response to the previously encountered serotype, which is not effective at preventing the disease. This allows the dengue virus to spread more easily, leading to increased severity of symptoms, meaning a second infection is more likely to result in more severe symptoms than the initial infection.
Which groups are advised to receive a dengue fever vaccine?
Dengue fever can infect individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. It has been observed that children and adults are equally at risk of developing severe dengue fever. For anyone residing in a country with dengue fever outbreaks, receiving the vaccine is a recommended way to protect oneself from this disease.
Things to know before getting the Dengue Fever vaccine
Avoid getting vaccinated while having a fever or feeling unwell. Avoid getting vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks between getting the Dengue Fever vaccine and other vaccines. Common side effects include pain, redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, and low-grade fever.