Good news for families all over the country: the world’s first dengue vaccine is now in the Philippines. According to a report by Inquirer.net, Dengvaxia is now available in the country. This was advised by Dr. Rose Delos Reyes, president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases during a press conference in Parañaque City.

Dengvaxia was developed by Sanofi Pasteur. It is manufactured and distributed by Zuellig Pharma.

The vaccine is suitable for the nine- to 45-year-old age group, said Dr. Rose Capeding, head of the Department of Microbiology Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and is effective against the four strains of dengue.

A report from Rappler last December 23, 2015 stated that the vaccine is being reviewed by around 20 countries in Asia and Latin America. The Philippines is the first Asian country to approve its sale.

In a statement, Olivier Charmeil, head of Sanofi’s vaccines division, said, “It’s a major step in the prevention of dengue and for public health.”

According to the World Health Organization, as many as 400 million people worldwide are infected with dengue every year, with some two-thirds coming from Asia.

Clinical tests were carried out on 40,000 people from 15 countries, according to the report from Rappler. Results revealed that Dengvaxia can immunize two-thirds of people aged nine and older. The risk of hospitalization was found to be reduced by 80 percent.

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