Who Can Get a Dengue Vaccine & When

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  • In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dengvaxia for use in children and adolescents 9–16 years old with laboratory-confirmed evidence of a previous dengue virus infection and living in areas of the United States where dengue is common.
  • In June 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended use of Dengvaxia to prevent dengue in children aged 9–16 years, with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue virus infection and living in areas where dengue is endemic.
  • Dengue is common in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the freely associated states, including the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Your child must have had dengue before vaccination

Positive dengue test result
  • Laboratory confirmation of a previous dengue infection is required for vaccination with Dengvaxia.
  • Testing before vaccination will confirm if your child has had dengue before.
  • In children who have not already had dengue, the dengue vaccine increases the risk of hospitalization and severe illness if the child gets dengue after vaccination.
    • Therefore, to reduce the risk of vaccinating children who have never had dengue, a blood test can check for a previous dengue infection.
      • If the test results are positive, your child can be vaccinated.
      • If the test results are negative, your child won’t be able to get vaccinated.

Children need three doses of the dengue vaccine for full protection

Children need three doses of the dengue vaccine for full protection.
  • Dose 1 can be given after confirming that your child had a prior dengue infection.
  • Dose 2 is given 6 months after the first dose.
  • Dose 3 is given 1 year after the first dose.

Who should NOT get a dengue vaccination

  • Children under 9 years of age
    • Children under 9 years of age are less likely to have had a prior dengue infection. For this reason, if your child is under the age of 9, they are not eligible for dengue vaccination.
  • People over 16 years of age
    • The dengue vaccine is not licensed for people over 16. There is not enough data to show how well the vaccine works in that population.
  • Children who have not had a prior dengue infection.
  • Children who are immunocompromised.
  • Travelers and non-residents of areas where dengue is common. The FDA has not approved dengue vaccine for use in travelers.