New dengue vaccine: Should I get vaccinated?

Last year 142,000 infected & 141 died from dengue in Thailand, learn how new vaccine reduces chances of getting disease from Mahidol co-developer of vaccine.

HEALTH

New dengue vaccine: Should I get vaccinated?

8/03/2016
Arusa Pisuthipan

Dengue fever claimed 141 lives in Thailand last year, with more than 142,000 people being infected.

The tropical disease is expected to not stop wreaking havoc this year.

Only two months into 2016 and almost 10,000 Thais have fallen victim to it, with three reported deaths.

This is why the new dengue vaccine -- the first of its kind in the world is welcome news.

The vaccine is not yet available in Thailand, but has been approved in four countries -- namely, Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil and a fourth, not yet named, country. 

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now reviewing related studies to ensure the vaccine is safe and effective and the dengue vaccine is expected to be available in the country around mid-year.

A public lecture entitled "Dengue Vaccine: A Hope for Thai people" was recently given at Mahidol University's Faculty of Tropical Medicine.

The lecture was given by by Assoc Prof Chukiat Siriwichayakul, head of the Department of Tropical Paediatrics, Mahidol University, one of the Thai researchers who have been involved in the development of the dengue vaccine.

The lecture answered many questions about dengue that people may have about the disease and how it could affect them. 

DIFFERENT FORMS OF DENGUE

Dengue fever can be fatal, and this explains why a vaccine is crucial in preventing the disease before it manifests in a more serious form.

Based on statistics, 53% of people infected with the dengue virus only suffer mild flu-like symptoms.

Some 36% of the infected are likely to have serious conditions, also referred to as full-blown "dengue fever," including severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, muscle and bone pain, joint pain and rashes.

Around 11%, might suffer the most severe form of all, which is called dengue haemorrhagic fever. At this stage, patients might fall prey to plasma leakage from blood vessels, resulting in thickening blood and shock.

Dengue infection might lead to death, although this is not common.

SHOULD I GET VACCINATED?

The vaccine only reduces the chance of contracting Dengue.

The dengue vaccine will be most effective for people between the ages of nine and 45.

The vaccine is able to reduce the chance of contracting the virus by around 60%, especially among people above the age of nine. For children below the age of nine, it is found that the vaccine renders better protective results in those who had been infected before.

The vaccine can prevent the severe form of dengue fever by about 80% in people above the age of nine. For those below the age of nine, the vaccine can shield them against severe dengue conditions by 56%.

WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE?

The price of the dengue vaccine in Thailand has yet to be specified, leaving some health conscious people in doubt as to whether such a preventive measure will be affordable.

Some have raised concerns if the government should include the vaccine in its national healthcare scheme, allowing people, especially the underprivileged, access to it at no cost.

In most cases, any vaccine qualified for inclusion in the national healthcare scheme must demonstrate over 90% efficacy.

THREE DOSES OVER ONE-YEAR

The vaccine, which requires three doses over a period of one year to be fully effective, still needs more follow-up studies to determine how long it would need to take effect.

But it has been reported that after years of vaccination, it renders a higher immunity level in countries where people can get natural booster (by being bitten by an infected mosquito, which strengthens your immune system).

And Thailand is one of those countries.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/889808/dengue-shot-anyone

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/890180/new-dengue-vaccine-should-i-get-vaccinated