VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Dengue Vaccine:

What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Dengue vaccine can help protect against dengue 

in people who have had dengue in the past.

Dengue is caused by one of four viruses spread 

through the bite of an infected mosquito. A person 

can get infected by any of the four dengue viruses. 

Infection with one dengue virus does not protect 

against infection with the other three viruses. Each 

year, up to 400 million people are infected with 

dengue. Almost half of the world’s population lives 

in areas with a risk of dengue.

Most people infected with dengue have no symptoms 

or experience mild disease.

Some people who get sick with dengue have sudden 

onset of fever with nausea, vomiting, a rash, and eye, 

muscle, joint, or bone aches and pains.

A smaller number of people with dengue will 

have severe disease. Severe dengue is a medical 

emergency, requiring immediate medical attention 

at a hospital. Hospitalization with dengue is most 

common in older children and adolescents. Warning 

signs of severe dengue begin 12 to 24 hours after 

fever goes away and include stomach pain and 

tenderness, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or 

gums, blood in vomit or stool, and extreme tiredness 

or restlessness.

Rarely, dengue can have serious effects on the 

liver, heart, central nervous system, kidneys, eyes, 

muscles, or bone marrow. Severe dengue can also 

lead to death.

2. Dengue vaccine

Dengue vaccine is recommended for children 

9 through 16 years old who

 Have a history of dengue infection in the past 

confirmed by a laboratory test

 Live in an area where dengue is common, including 

the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American 

Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and freely 

associated states including the Federated States of 

Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and 

the Republic of Palau

Dengue vaccine is NOT recommended for travelers.

To receive the vaccine, your child must have had 

dengue in the past, confirmed by blood testing. 

The vaccine could increase the risk of severe dengue 

and hospitalization in children who have not had 

dengue before if they are infected with dengue after 

vaccination.

Children need 3 doses of the dengue vaccine. The 

second dose should be given 6 months after the first 

dose, the third dose 6 months after the second dose.

Dengue vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of dengue vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Has a weakened immune system

If the person getting the vaccine is pregnant or 

breastfeeding, they should discuss benefits and 

potential risks of dengue vaccination with their 

health care provider.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone dengue vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

dengue vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is 

given, tiredness or weakness, fever, headache, 

fatigue, or muscle pain can happen after dengue 

vaccination.

If a person who has never had dengue in the past 

gets dengue vaccine, they are at increased risk of 

severe disease if they become infected with dengue 

in the future.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a 

serious problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts 

and additional information at www.fda.gov/

vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/dengue.

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

12/17/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Dengue Vaccine