WHO expert panel recommends Dengvaxia use

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has issued its recommendations to the World Health Organization on the use of Dengvaxia dengue vaccine, from Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines business of French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN).

The SAGE advises that countries with high dengue transmission consider introduction of the dengue vaccine as part of an integrated disease prevention strategy including vector control to effectively lower their dengue disease burden. Successful introduction of dengue immunization alongside other prevention efforts should help endemic countries to achieve the WHO objectives to reduce dengue morbidity by 25% and mortality by 50% by 2020.

"We welcome these recommendations for Dengvaxia from SAGE, the advisory group to the WHO, for vaccines and immunization," said Elias Zerhouni, president of global R&D, Sanofi, adding: "Dengvaxia has been approved in four countries already, including Mexico and Brazil, which have regulatory authorities recognized by the WHO. These WHO SAGE recommendations further validate the scientific and medical value of Dengvaxia and send a clear message to endemic countries about the strong public health benefit to be gained by introducing the dengue vaccine in integrated disease management efforts to combat their dengue burden."