Dhaka, July 21 -- India has approved its first dengue vaccine, granting regulatory clearance to Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical's QDENGA, in a major milestone in the country's fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

Takeda announced on Monday that India's drug regulator had authorised the vaccine, providing the country with its first approved immunisation option against dengue as cases continue to rise.

The company said reported dengue infections in India have increased nearly elevenfold over the past two decades, underlining the growing public health challenge and the need for stronger preventive measures.

QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes. According ...