Kochi: Amrita Hospital has commenced the third phase of testing for the 'Dengue All' vaccine, marking a significant milestone in the battle against dengue fever. This trial is the first of its kind to progress to this stage in India.
According to a UNI report, the trial is being conducted at the Amrita Urban Health Centre in Kaloor under the leadership of Amrita Hospital’s Community Medicine, Microbiology, and General Medicine departments.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec are overseeing the study, which includes 10,335 participants from 19 locations in India.
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"All types of the Dengue are present in India, so people who have had dengue can be infected again," explains Dr. Mary Jo, Associate Professor of Community Medicine. “Our study aims to develop a vaccine that is effective against all strains of dengue,” she said.
According to the WHO, India accounts for one-third of the world's dengue cases, and most cases are asymptomatic. Children and young adults are more likely to experience severe illness. Earlier trial phases of 'Dengue All' have shown that the vaccine works against all known dengue strains.
team had earlier reported that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have announced the initiation of the first-ever Phase 3 clinical trial for a dengue vaccine in India. This landmark trial will evaluate the efficacy of India's indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll, developed by Panacea Biotec. The first participant in this trial was vaccinated at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak.
Commenting on this milestone, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, said, “The initiation of this Phase 3 clinical trial for India's first indigenous dengue vaccine marks a critical advancement in our fight against dengue. It reflects our commitment to protecting our citizens from this pervasive disease and underscores India's capabilities in vaccine research and development. Through this collaboration between ICMR and Panacea Biotec, we are not only taking a step towards ensuring the health and well-being of our people but also reinforcing our vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the healthcare sector.”
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