avis/advies 9739

Vaccination against dengue

Since March 2023, the vaccine Qdenga® is available on the Belgian market. This vaccine reduces the risk of a severe course of dengue infection. The vaccine may be administered to children as young as 4 years old. Dengvaxia® is not available in Belgium and is not recommended to travellers.

When does the Superior Health Council recommend vaccination?

  • Travellers have already had dengue
  • Travellers stay for a long time (> 4 weeks) in or frequently travel through a high-risk area
  • Travellers can obtain the full vaccination schedule (two doses at 3 months interval) before departure

When does the Superior Health Council not recommend vaccination?

  • If any of the above conditions are not met, or
  • in case of medical contraindications.

The vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and therefore should not be used in certain immune disorders, during pregnancy or breastfeeding (see SHC advice 9158).