NEW DELHI: India could have its own indigenously developed dengue vaccine by the end of 2027, according to the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), raising hopes of a new tool to tackle the country's recurring dengue burden.

The vaccine is currently under development as part of India's efforts to strengthen domestic vaccine research and reduce dependence on imported medical technologies.

Vaccine development underway

The ICMR has been supporting research into dengue vaccines as the disease continues to pose a significant public-health challenge in India, particularly during and after the monsoon season.

Dengue is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes and can cause high fever, severe body aches, low platelet counts and, in serious cases, bleeding and organ complications. India records a large number of dengue infections every year, with cases often increasing during the rainy season.

Potential public-health impact

An effective indigenous vaccine could strengthen India's ability to respond to seasonal outbreaks and complement existing measures such as mosquito-control programmes, surveillance and early diagnosis.

Experts have stressed that vaccine development involves multiple stages of clinical testing and regulatory approval before a vaccine can be made widely available. The projected 2027 timeline would therefore depend on successful completion of these processes.

The development of a domestic dengue vaccine would also represent a significant step for India's growing vaccine and biotechnology sector, which has emerged as an important global supplier of vaccines and pharmaceutical products.