CDC and Dengue Research

Dengue is often called “a neglected disease.” Scientists have been researching a dengue vaccine for decades, but production of a successful vaccine has been very challenging. Public health aspects of vector-borne diseases are a unique strength of CDC, and dengue virus research has long been a major activity of the agency. DVBD’s Dengue Branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the world’s largest research unit devoted solely to finding better ways to prevent and control dengue.

Getting Ready for the Vaccine

Recently, CDC and other dengue experts gathered in Puerto Rico for the Dengue v2V (vaccine to vaccination) international meeting. The goal of the conference was to outline steps for the introduction of a dengue vaccine once licensed. “Puerto Rico was a relevant venue for this meeting given its location and experience with both endemic and epidemic dengue activity,” said Dr. Harold Margolis, chief of the Dengue Branch and co-chair of the meeting. “In addition to mosquito control measures, a dengue vaccine is seen as the best way to effectively control dengue,” he said. The meeting in Puerto Rico is part of the ongoing efforts of Dengue v2V to ensure that a dengue vaccine, once licensed, is readily available to those who need it most.

The objectives of Dengue v2V include documenting the human and economic impact of dengue; providing guidance regarding vaccine adoption strategies based on clinical, epidemiologic, other technical data; and making recommendations about the introduction of a dengue vaccine for routine and catch-up immunization.