A new study published in PLOS Medicine evaluates the potential health and economic impact of introducing Takeda’s dengue vaccine, TAK‑003, into Thailand’s national immunization program. Using a dynamic transmission model grounded in clinical trial data, the researchers projected that routine vaccination—especially when initiated at age six and combined with a large catch-up campaign at the first year of the vaccine introduction—could significantly reduce dengue-related illness and hospitalizations. The most ambitious scenario modeled would avert over 100,000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and save an estimated US $1.79 billion in societal costs over 20 years.
This is the first country-level economic analysis of TAK‑003 and adds to the growing evidence supporting dengue vaccine introduction in endemic settings. Even with conservative cost assumptions, the vaccine was projected to be cost-saving in multiple scenarios. The study’s findings underscore the importance of strategic age targeting and program design, suggesting that integrating dengue vaccination with existing platforms—such as HPV delivery at age 11—could offer both health and operational efficiencies.
Thumbnail image credit: Shutterstock / Teerapong mahawan
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