Paraguay Expands Dengue Vaccination to Adults Under 40

Paraguay has broadened its dengue vaccination strategy to include individuals up to 39 years of age, a significant expansion from the initial focus on children aged 6 to 8. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), reflects the high burden of dengue fever among young adults in the country.

Addressing a Growing Public Health Concern

The expansion aims to reduce the incidence of severe dengue illness and infection rates within a demographic group heavily impacted by the disease. Between 2019 and 2024, individuals aged 20-39 accounted for over 108,000 dengue cases in Paraguay, representing a substantial proportion of the national total and a high incidence rate source.

Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

Dr. Duilio Núñez, a clinical infectious disease specialist at the Paraguayan Society of Infectious Diseases, emphasized the safety and effectiveness of the dengue vaccine. “The vaccines are safe; the safety of this vaccine is quite favorable. They are immunological interventions that have been developed over many years,” he stated source. The TAK-003 vaccine (Qdenga) is administered in a two-dose schedule, with a three-month interval between doses, and has demonstrated high protection against symptomatic dengue and hospitalization source.

Implementation and Ongoing Efforts

The vaccination campaign is currently underway in 16 prioritized municipalities across the Capital, Central, Paraguarí, and Itapúa health regions. These areas were selected based on the intensity of dengue transmission observed in recent years source. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes epidemiological surveillance and preventative measures to mitigate the impact of dengue throughout the country.

The Importance of Immunization Programs

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), established in 1974, has been instrumental in global health advancements. Today, every country worldwide has a national immunization program, recognizing vaccines as a safe, cost-effective, and successful public health intervention source. The EPI has evolved to include vaccinations for all age groups, now recommending 14 vaccines against a range of diseases, including RSV, BCG, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, HPV, and COVID-19 source.