India is expected to have its first indigenous dengue vaccine by next year, according to the former Director of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Balram Bhargava. Bhargava shared this significant update during a vaccine programme at Science City, Kolkata on Tuesday.

Currently, Phase 3 clinical trials of the vaccine, developed jointly by ICMR and Panacea Biotech, are underway and have shown promising results thus far.

The vaccine, named ‘DengiAll’, is India’s first indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine. Trials are being conducted across 19 centres in 18 states and union territories, involving more than 10,335 healthy participants.

If the ongoing Phase 3 trials are successful, the vaccine could be available by mid-2026, although ICMR has yet to confirm its availability. Health experts believe that the introduction of this vaccine could significantly aid in controlling dengue in India.

Dengue, a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, causes high fever and a reduction in platelet count. If not treated promptly, it can be fatal. The disease is most prevalent during the rainy season, particularly in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, where it results in numerous fatalities each year. The arrival of this vaccine is anticipated to provide crucial protection against dengue.