What should you know about vaccine against dengue?

Dengue is spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills. Vaccine decisions can depend on age, previous dengue infection, destination or residence, and the product available locally. A clinician may need your travel and illness history before recommending it.

Vaccination is preventive; it is not a treatment for current dengue. Protection is not a reason to ignore symptoms, because dengue can become severe and warning signs may appear as fever changes. Repellent, long sleeves, screens, and reducing standing water remain useful protective measures.

Arrange a GP consultation to discuss eligibility, timing, previous dengue infection, pregnancy, immune conditions, and planned travel. Take your vaccination record and a list of medicines. If fever develops, rest, drink fluids, and obtain medical advice about safe symptom relief rather than self-treating with medicines that may increase bleeding risk.

Use mosquito protection during the day as well as at night, because dengue-carrying mosquitoes can bite in daylight. Seek advice before travel if you have previously had dengue or will spend time in an area where transmission occurs.

Get urgent medical help for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, easy bruising, marked weakness, confusion, breathing difficulty, or inability to drink. Fever with a severe headache, muscle aches, joint pain, or chills warrants medical advice, particularly after travel. Tell the clinician about mosquito exposure and destination.

Ask whether your previous infection, destination, age, or health conditions affect eligibility. Clarify the timing of doses, common reactions, mosquito precautions, and which warning signs should send you to urgent care.