The world's first vaccine for dengue has been approved for use in Singapore after being reviewed for its risks and benefits for seven months, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Tuesday.
However, the vaccine will be made available to the public only after the doctors get familiar with it.
Studies have revealed that the vaccine, known as Dengvaxia, can effectively reduce dengue by 60 percent and severe dengue by 84 percent. However, according to HSA, the antidote is more effective for patients who have previously contracted dengue.
The vaccine, developed by pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, has been approved for use by anyone aged 12 to 45 years in Singapore and can be given in three shots over a year.
It was approved after a review of 24 clinical studies conducted over 41,000 subjects. Moreover, experts from HSA's Medicines Advisory Committee and Dengue Expert Panel were also consulted after the World Health Organisation endorsed it last year.
However, According to The Straits Times, studies revealed that it is more-or-less ineffective against the two dengue strains most common in Singapore. It has also been proved to be less effective for individuals aged above 45.
Singapore is the 10th country in the world to approve the vaccine.
Dengue, the mosquito-borne disease, is endemic in Singapore. At least 12,054 dengue cases have reported here as of October 3 which is higher than the 11,286 number of cases reported cases in 2015.
Seven people have already died of the virus so far but in 2015 four people were on the fatality list.
Singapore is currently reeling under severe Zika virus threat as well.
