The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Costa Rica has developed a vaccine against dengue which is currently undergoing comprehensive studies.
According to the National Immunization Coordinator from the Ministry of Health, Dr. Roberto Arroba, they must analyze the cost effectiveness and the epidemiological situation of the country.
“Until we have the vaccine on the market once it has been fully tested we could not possibly think of introducing the vaccine in the country. Now there is actually a study that includes countries like Honduras, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Asia where the vaccine is being applied to check whether or not it’s effective, so we would have data from the Americas, which would be very similar to which we have in our country,” remarked Dr. Arroba.
According to the doctor, this vaccine is for preventive measures against the strains of dengue currently known.
“Note that it is not 100% effective as it depends on the type of virus circulating since there are four different kinds, but it will certainly offer greater protection. We hope that in 2015 this vaccine will be on the market worldwide,” he said.
So far this year there has been a total of 7,561 people infected with dengue with the most cases occurring in Huétar in the Caribbean Region with 1,909 followed by Brunca with 1,720 people.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica