The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the world's first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, for use in Singapore, after a seven-month review of its benefits and risks.

Studies have shown that overall, the vaccine is effective at reducing dengue by 60 per cent, and reducing severe dengue by 84 per cent.

However, it is much less effective against the two dengue strains most common in Singapore.

HSA's decision to approve the vaccine was based on 24 clinical studies done by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, involving 41,000 people.

The vaccine is approved for use in anyone aged 12 to 45 years. HSA said it is prepared to revise its age guidelines when more data is available.

The number of new dengue cases last week dropped to 138, the lowest weekly figure this year, according to the National Environment Agency.

There have been 12,034 dengue cases since the start of the year, already more than the 11,286 cases reported in the whole of last year.

With Singapore still in the traditional peak dengue season, the agency said it is still anticipating an upward trend in the number of cases.

Fonte: The New Paper – (Singapore Press)