Cases imported to the UK have risen sharply over the past decade. The mosquito that carries dengue has expanded into parts of southern Europe that UK travellers visit regularly. For anyone heading to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, or parts of Africa, dengue is one of the most significant travel health risks they face.
The dengue vaccine available at Pharmacy M protects against all four strains. It is a two-dose private prescription course, administered over three months, with no GP referral needed.
What is Dengue Fever?
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness with four distinct strains. It is carried by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day, unlike the malaria-carrying mosquito, which is active at dusk and dawn. Standard evening precautions offer much less protection against dengue than many travellers assume.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and a rash. The intensity of the body pain has earned it the nickname “breakbone fever.” Most people recover within one to two weeks.
Severe dengue, previously known as dengue haemorrhagic fever, involves internal bleeding, a sudden blood pressure drop, and organ impairment. It can be life-threatening without hospital care. There is no specific antiviral treatment.
Why second infections matter: recovering from one strain leaves you susceptible to the other three. A second infection with a different strain carries significantly higher risk of severe dengue. Frequent travellers face compounding risk over time, which is one of the strongest arguments for vaccination.
The WHO estimates 100 to 400 million dengue infections occur globally each year.
Who is Eligible?
The vaccine is recommended for anyone aged 4 and over who fits one or more of the following:
- Travelling to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, or sub-Saharan Africa
- Frequent travellers to endemic regions, including those visiting family abroad
- Long-stay travellers, volunteers, expatriates, or those travelling for work or study
- Humanitarian and aid workers
- Children aged 4 and over travelling to high-risk areas
Your pharmacist will conduct a brief consultation before administering the vaccine. If you have had a previous dengue infection, mention it, as this is particularly relevant to eligibility.
Where is Dengue Most Common?
Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries. It is common in cities and popular tourist areas, not just rural settings.
| Region | Key countries |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar |
| South Asia | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
| Latin America | Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela |
| Caribbean | Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Ghana, Sudan, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali |
A note on Europe: locally acquired dengue has now been reported in southern France, Italy, and Spain, driven by the spread of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Risk remains low relative to the tropics, but it is no longer zero.
How Does the Vaccine Work?
The vaccine available at Pharmacy M is Qdenga, developed by Takeda. It is a live attenuated tetravalent vaccine, meaning it contains weakened versions of all four dengue strains (DENV-1 through DENV-4) and aims to generate immunity against all four simultaneously.
Clinical trial data showed strong efficacy against symptomatic dengue and particularly strong results in reducing hospitalisation due to severe dengue.
Dosage schedule
- 2 injections into the upper arm
- 3 months apart
- Suitable for ages 4 and over
Unlike many travel vaccines, the dengue course cannot be completed close to departure. If your trip is in six months, book now. If it is in three months or less, speak to our pharmacists as soon as possible.
Side effects are generally mild: injection site pain, headache, mild fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, typically resolving within a few days. If you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines, let your pharmacist know before your appointment.
Is it Available on The NHS?
No. The dengue vaccine is not currently available on the NHS as a routine travel vaccination. It is a private prescription service. At Pharmacy M, our pharmacists can assess your suitability and issue a private prescription in the same appointment, with no GP referral required.
How Much Does it Cost?
| Doses | 2 |
| Price per dose | £125 |
| Total course | £250 |
| Ages | 4 and over |
No hidden fees. No added consultation charges. The private prescription is issued by our pharmacist as part of your appointment.
To put this in context: dengue is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation among UK travellers returning from Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. A single hospital admission abroad will far exceed the cost of the course.
Dengue vs Malaria: Key Differences
Anti-malarial tablets provide no protection against dengue. They are caused by different pathogens and carried by different mosquitoes.
| Dengue | Malaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Virus | Parasite |
| Mosquito | Aedes (daytime) | Anopheles (dusk and dawn) |
| Prevention | Vaccine + daytime repellent | Tablets + repellent |
| Treatment | Supportive care | Antimalarial drugs |
If you are travelling somewhere where both diseases are present, which includes much of Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, you need separate prevention strategies for each. Our pharmacists can advise on both in a single appointment.
Other vaccines to consider alongside dengue
Many destinations with dengue risk also carry other preventable illnesses. Consider these at the same appointment:
- Typhoid — food and water-borne; single injection, three years of protection
- Hepatitis A — recommended for any destination with variable food hygiene
- Hepatitis B — relevant if you may receive medical or dental care abroad
- Rabies — for extended rural travel or animal contact; three doses over three to four weeks, so plan early
- Cholera — relevant for parts of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa; also offers partial protection against traveller’s diarrhoea
How to book
Book as early as possible. The course takes three months to complete.
- Book online or walk in — flexible scheduling and same-day appointments where available
- Pharmacist consultation — we will review your travel plans, destinations, dates, medical history, and any prior dengue infections
- First dose and scheduling — the injection takes minutes; before you leave, we confirm your second dose date and provide written bite prevention guidance
Walk-in consultations are welcome if you want to discuss whether the vaccine is right for your trip before committing.
