DAVAO CITY — Recurring dengue outbreaks and deaths, particularly among children, underscore the need to strengthen prevention in Mindanao by adding vaccination to existing measures against the mosquito-borne disease, according to pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Ma. Delta Aguilar.
Aguilar said dengue prevention requires a multi-pronged approach that combines mosquito control, disease surveillance, early diagnosis and proper clinical care, public education, and vaccination.
The concern is particularly relevant in Mindanao, where several areas have experienced high numbers of dengue cases and outbreaks. Zamboanga City, for instance, recorded more than 2,400 dengue cases and 17 deaths from January to August 29, 2026, with children aged one to 10 accounting for more than half of reported infections.
With dengue endemic in the country, Aguilar said communities need sustained protection rather than responding only when cases begin to surge.
Dengue thrives in tropical and subtropical environments, while rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and other environmental conditions associated with climate change can create conditions favorable to mosquito breeding and dengue transmission. This makes dengue a long-term public health challenge and underscores the need for several layers of protection, particularly for children.
A new generation of dengue prevention
One vaccine being considered for use in the Philippines is TAK-003, commercially known as Qdenga, a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda. It is designed to generate an immune response against all four dengue virus serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
TAK-003 was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2024. WHO prequalification involves assessment against international standards for quality, safety and efficacy and enables vaccines to be considered for procurement by United Nations agencies and other international organizations.
WHO recommends TAK-003 for children aged six to 16 years in settings with high dengue transmission. One of its distinguishing features is that WHO does not recommend pre-vaccination screening for recipients of the vaccine. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three months apart.
TAK-003 also became the first dengue vaccine authorized by the European Commission (EU) for individuals four years and older regardless of previous dengue exposure.
Based on data found on Takeda’s website, Qdenga is now approved in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed worldwide. Approvals include the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and, most recently, India.
The pivotal Phase III Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) from its clinical trial involved more than 20,000 children and adolescents across eight dengue-endemic countries, including the Philippines. The study reported 80.2 percent vaccine efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue and demonstrated strong protection against dengue-related hospitalization. Vaccine efficacy, or VE, measures the reduction in the risk of a specified disease outcome among vaccinated participants compared with those who received a placebo under clinical-trial conditions.
Real-world evidence is also emerging. In Brazil, where TAK-003 is part of the country’s public vaccination program, Takeda reported a large study among adolescents found that two doses were 87 percent effective against dengue-related hospitalization, broadly consistent with the strong protection observed in clinical trials. Safety monitoring has likewise shown a favorable benefit-risk profile. Aguilar further said, in clinical studies, no deaths among participants were considered related to TAK-003 vaccination and no reported fatal events that can be attributed to the vaccine.
Vaccination adds another layer of protection
Aguilar stressed that vaccination should complement, rather than replace, established dengue prevention measures. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, protecting against mosquito bites, strengthening disease surveillance, recognizing warning signs and seeking medical attention early remain essential.
The WHO similarly considers vaccination part of an integrated dengue-control strategy that includes vector control, proper case management and community engagement.
For communities in Mindanao that continue to experience dengue outbreaks and deaths, the availability of another preventive tool could strengthen efforts to protect children and other vulnerable populations.
With dengue endemic in the Philippines and environmental conditions continuing to favor transmission, Aguilar said prevention must keep pace with the threat. Vaccination, alongside established dengue-control measures, provides another layer of protection against a disease that continues to hospitalize patients and claim lives.
