When you come for a consultation, we will inform you about the possibility of vaccination against dengue fever, if relevant, and help assess the need. We are reluctant to recommend the vaccine widely as long as there are no clear national guidelines for the use of the vaccine.
The complicated thing about dengue fever is that there are four different serotypes of dengue virus (DENV 1-4), this means that you can be infected with dengue fever more than once, even after vaccination. If you have previously had dengue fever, there may be an increased risk of a severe course of dengue fever if infected with another serotype. However, this suggests that after dengue fever is over, you can be protected against severe dengue fever for up to 2 years.
Protection by vaccination:
- People who have previously had dengue fever (seropositive) are protected against all four serotypes after vaccination. Vaccination is usually recommended for new travel to areas with dengue fever.
- People who have not had dengue fever (seronegative) are not guaranteed protection against DENV 3 and 4. There is therefore no general recommendation for vaccination of seronegatives against dengue fever.
- 1st dose gives approx. 80% protection against dengue fever for at least 3 months.
- 2nd dose (can be given 3 months after the first dose) extends protection to 4.5 years.
- (Based on historical data)
- There are often significant but transient side effects from dengue vaccination. Headache, weakness and joint pain occur in approx. 40%. The rash on the body occurs in approx. 16%. Fever occurs in approx. 15%.
- Side effects occur most frequently in the second week after vaccination, and typically last 1-3 days.
- Vaccination against dengue fever is therefore recommended at least 14 days before departure, to avoid side effects during the journey.
Read more about dengue fever here:
→ Dengue fever - vaccination