Test Before Vaccination
Laboratory confirmation of a previous dengue infection is required for vaccination with Dengvaxia.
- Testing before vaccination will confirm that 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 result is positive, your child can be vaccinated.
- If the test result is negative, your child won’t be able to get vaccinated.
- Your child should be tested again in one or two years.
- Therefore, to reduce the risk of vaccinating children who have never had dengue, a blood test can check for a previous dengue infection.
Types of testing to confirm a prior dengue infection
- Your child’s healthcare provider will order a blood test to confirm a previous dengue infection. The healthcare provider will order a test that has been approved by the local or territorial health department.
OR
- If your child had a previous dengue illness that was confirmed by a specific type of laboratory test, your child may not need an additional blood test.
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider
- Talk to your child’s healthcare provider to find out if your child is eligible for a dengue vaccine.