Is there a dengue vaccine in the US? No. As of CDC’s September 1, 2026 update, no dengue vaccine is available in the United States.
The only one ever licensed here, Dengvaxia, has been discontinued. No other dengue vaccine is approved for use in the US. This guide explains what that means for you, your kids, and your travel plans.
Quick answers
- Available now? No. CDC says there are currently no dengue vaccines available in the United States.
- Licensed one? Dengvaxia was the only one. It is no longer available here.
- Dengue vaccine for travelers? None in the US. Travelers were never in Dengvaxia’s approved group.
- Best protection today: prevent mosquito bites and know the warning signs.
Vaccine news changes fast. Always confirm with CDC before you decide anything. The CDC dengue vaccines page is our main source.
Is there a dengue vaccine in the US right now?
The short answer to “is there a dengue vaccine in the US” is no. If you wondered is there a dengue vaccine in the US for your child, the answer is the same. CDC states that globally, several dengue vaccines have been approved. But none is available in the United States.
That is a change from a few years ago. Back then, a doctor in Puerto Rico could, in theory, give a qualified child a dose of Dengvaxia. That option is gone.
What “available” means
“Approved” and “available” are different. A vaccine can be approved on paper but not sold. It can also be approved in other countries but not here.
So when you ask is there a dengue vaccine in the US, the real question is: can you get one from a US clinic today? The answer is no.
Why this matters for you
Before you act on any claim about is there a dengue vaccine in the US, check the source. Some social media posts claim a dengue shot is easy to get. Do not trust them. If anyone offers you a “dengue vaccine” in the US, ask for proof and check with your state health department.
What happened to Dengvaxia, the dengue vaccine US families once had?
When people ask is there a dengue vaccine in the US, they often mean Dengvaxia. It was made by Sanofi Pasteur. The FDA licensed it in 2019. It was the first and only dengue vaccine approved in the US.
CDC describes it as a live-attenuated vaccine that needed three doses. It was recommended for children aged 9 to 16 years who had laboratory-confirmed past dengue infection and lived in US areas where dengue is endemic.
In 2024, Sanofi Pasteur announced it would stop making Dengvaxia. The reason was a lack of demand in the global market. CDC now says Dengvaxia is no longer available in the United States.
Why demand was low
The approved group was very small. Only children with proven past infection, living in a few US areas, qualified.
Dengvaxia basics: age, dosing, effectiveness, and safety
You may still see Dengvaxia mentioned online. That can make you wonder: is there a dengue vaccine in the US after all? There is not. Here is what the dengue vaccine US program looked like when it was available. This is history, not a current option.
Age eligibility
CDC recommended Dengvaxia for children aged 9 to 16 years. They also had to have lab-confirmed past dengue infection. They also had to live in an area of the US where dengue is endemic.
Dosing schedule
The vaccine needed three doses, spaced six months apart (at 0, 6, and 12 months). Finishing the series took a full year. That was hard for busy families.
Effectiveness
When the FDA approved Dengvaxia, it said the vaccine was about 76% effective at preventing symptomatic, lab-confirmed dengue in children aged 9 to 16 who had a prior lab-confirmed infection. The FDA based this on three placebo-controlled studies.
No vaccine is perfect. People who were vaccinated could still catch dengue, so mosquito protection still mattered.
Safety and side effects
Common side effects of Dengvaxia included headache, muscle aches, tiredness, fever, and pain at the injection site. These are typical for many vaccines.
The bigger safety issue was tied to prior infection. In people who had never had dengue, the vaccine could raise the risk of severe disease if they were infected later. That is why testing came first.
Why a past dengue infection was required
This is the most confusing part of the story. It is also the most important. It explains why the answer to is there a dengue vaccine in the US was always “only for a few people,” even before it was discontinued.
Dengue has four types
Four dengue viruses (DENV-1 to DENV-4) cause dengue. CDC notes that people can get sick from dengue more than once if different viruses infect them.
A second infection can be more severe than the first. That is a key reason experts worry about repeat dengue.
How the vaccine acted like a first infection
The FDA said Dengvaxia appears to act like a first dengue infection without causing wild dengue itself. For someone already infected once, that was helpful. For someone never infected, it could set the stage for a worse illness later.
CDC also notes that vaccines tested so far have protected better in people who had a past infection than in people who did not.
How past infection was confirmed
Doctors needed lab proof, not a guess. A history of “feeling sick after a mosquito bite” was not enough. The proof came from laboratory testing that showed a past dengue infection.
If you ever need this kind of testing, ask your doctor which tests are accurate for you. Some tests can be confusing in people who have had related viruses.
How dengue spreads and why a vaccine matters
Dengue spreads when an infected Aedes mosquito bites you. It does not spread from person to person through casual contact. A mosquito must bite a sick person first, then bite someone else.
That is why people ask is there a dengue vaccine in the US. A vaccine would add a second layer of protection on top of bite prevention. Without one, each household has to do more of the work.
Why one shot is hard to design
An ideal dengue vaccine would give long-lasting protection against all four viruses. That is a tough target. CDC notes that vaccines tested so far have also protected differently against the different dengue viruses.
Dengue vaccine for travelers: is there a dengue vaccine in the US for trips abroad?
Many people searching “is there a dengue vaccine in the US” are planning a trip. They want a shot before they fly. Sadly, there is no dengue vaccine for travelers available in the US.
Travelers were never in the approved group
Dengvaxia was approved only for children with proven past infection who lived in endemic US areas. A typical traveler fits neither rule. Most travelers have never had dengue, and they live in places where dengue is not endemic.
So even when Dengvaxia was sold, it was not a dengue vaccine for travelers.
Residents of US territories
So is there a dengue vaccine in the US for people who live in those places? No. Dengue is endemic in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. People living there face a constant risk. They were the main group Dengvaxia was meant for.
Now they must also rely on mosquito control and prevention.
What about the US mainland?
Some parts of the mainland have had locally acquired dengue, meaning people were infected without travel. Florida is one example. Check CDC’s current data page for the latest.
This does not change the answer to is there a dengue vaccine in the US. It does mean mosquito protection at home matters in some places.
Travel health clinic
Before you ask a clinic is there a dengue vaccine in the US for your trip, know the answer is no. If you are going to a place with dengue, see a travel health clinic 4 to 6 weeks before leaving. Ask about the latest guidance. Ask about other vaccines you may need for your destination.
Which dengue vaccines are not approved in the US?
Several dengue vaccines exist or are in development around the world. This matters when you ask is there a dengue vaccine in the US, because the answer is not the same everywhere. Here is how they stand, based on CDC’s September 2026 page.
| Vaccine | Maker / source | Doses | Status in the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dengvaxia | Sanofi Pasteur | 3 | Was licensed. Discontinued. Not available. |
| Qdenga | Takeda | 2, three months apart | Not approved. Manufacturer withdrew its FDA application in 2023. |
| TV003 / Butantan-DV | NIH design; licensed to Merck (US) and Instituto Butantan (Brazil) | 1 | Not approved in the US. |
Qdenga
Qdenga is a live-attenuated vaccine from Takeda. It is authorized in more than 40 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand. In 2023, the World Health Organization’s expert group recommended it for children aged 6 to 16 in places with high dengue transmission.
In 2023, Takeda withdrew its application to the FDA. CDC says Qdenga is not available or recommended for use in the United States.
TV003 and Butantan-DV
TV003 is a single-dose vaccine developed by the US National Institutes of Health. Preliminary phase 3 results in Brazil in 2024 showed 77% efficacy among people with a past infection and 60% among those without, after 3.7 years.
Brazil approved Butantan-DV in December 2025 for ages 12 to 59. In June 2026, Brazil’s health ministry temporarily suspended its use while it investigates reports of adverse events. It is not approved in the US.
Other candidates
Other dengue vaccines and vaccine models are in clinical trials. I cannot give you a date for any US approval, and neither can CDC. Watch the CDC page for updates.
Should I seek a vaccine abroad?
Rules in other countries differ from US rules. CDC does not recommend Qdenga for use in the US. If you are thinking about a vaccine overseas, talk to a travel medicine specialist first.
Myths about the dengue vaccine in the US
Because the topic is confusing, myths spread fast. Here are the most common ones.
Myth: “You can get a dengue shot at any travel clinic.” Not true. Is there a dengue vaccine in the US at travel clinics? No, because no dengue vaccine is available here.
Myth: “Dengvaxia is still in stock.” CDC says it is no longer available in the US. Be careful with any offer that says otherwise.
Myth: “A vaccine means I can skip repellent.” Even when a vaccine exists, it does not give perfect protection. Bite prevention stays important.
Myth: “If I had dengue once, I am safe.” You are not. Four viruses cause dengue, and a later infection can be worse.
Living in a US territory: what to do now
If you live in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam, you may have heard about Dengvaxia. You may wonder is there a dengue vaccine in the US territories today. The answer is the same: no.
Ask your doctor or local health department about mosquito control programs. Remove standing water around your home. Seek care fast for any fever with warning signs.
Dengue prevention without a vaccine
Since the answer to is there a dengue vaccine in the US is no, prevention comes down to stopping mosquito bites. There is no dengue vaccine US residents can get. The mosquitoes that spread dengue (Aedes species) bite mostly during the day.
Protect your skin
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Follow the label.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when you can.
- Consider clothing and gear treated with permethrin.
For babies and children, read the label closely. Ask your pediatrician which repellent is right for your child’s age.
Protect your space
- Use air conditioning or window and door screens.
- Sleep under a bed net if your room is not well screened.
- Empty standing water once a week. Check flowerpots, buckets, tires, and pet bowls.
Travel tips
- Check CDC’s list of areas with dengue risk before you book.
- Pack repellent and light, long clothing.
- Choose lodging with screens or air conditioning.
- Keep protecting yourself after you come home. A mosquito that bites you while you are sick can spread the virus.
If you get dengue
Avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness. This helps stop the spread to others.
Dengue symptoms, warning signs, and when to see a doctor
CDC says about 1 in 4 people infected with dengue will get sick. Many infections cause no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms
The most common symptom is fever. It often comes with one or more of these:
- Headache
- Eye pain, often behind the eyes
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash
Symptoms usually last 2 to 7 days. Most people recover after about a week. Mild dengue can look like other fevers, such as the flu.
Severe dengue is an emergency
About 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue develop severe dengue. It can cause shock, internal bleeding, and death. It can turn serious within hours.
Warning signs often appear 24 to 48 hours after the fever goes away. Do not relax just because the fever is gone. Go to a clinic or ER right away if you or your child has:
- Belly pain or tenderness
- Vomiting at least 3 times in 24 hours
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
- Extreme tiredness or restlessness
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have dengue-like symptoms and live in, or recently traveled to, an area with dengue risk. A blood test is the only way to confirm dengue. Your doctor may also test for similar viruses, such as Zika or chikungunya.
Treatment basics
There is no specific medicine that cures dengue. Care focuses on rest, fluids, and watching for warning signs. Ask your doctor which fever reducer is safe. Doctors often avoid aspirin and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, until dengue is ruled out, because of bleeding risk.
Talking to your doctor: questions to ask
Bring this list to your next visit. It works for travel clinics, too. Asking is there a dengue vaccine in the US is a fine first question.
- Is there a dengue vaccine in the US that I or my child can get today?
- Have I had dengue before? Would testing change my care?
- Does my destination have dengue risk right now?
- Which mosquito repellent is best for my age and health?
- Which symptoms mean I should go to the ER?
- Is it safe to take my usual pain medicines if I get a fever?
- Should I see a travel medicine specialist before my trip?
FAQs: is there a dengue vaccine in the US?
1. Is there a dengue vaccine in the US for adults?
No. Is there a dengue vaccine in the US for any age? Also no. CDC says no dengue vaccine is currently available in the United States. Dengvaxia was never recommended for adults.
2. Can I still get Dengvaxia?
No. Sanofi Pasteur discontinued it, and CDC says it is no longer available in the US.
3. Is there a dengue vaccine in the US for travelers?
No. There is no dengue vaccine for travelers sold in the US. Focus on bite prevention and talk to a travel clinic.
4. Is Qdenga available in the US?
No. CDC says Qdenga is not available or recommended for use in the US. Takeda withdrew its FDA application in 2023.
5. If I had dengue once, can I get it again?
Yes. There are four dengue viruses. You can be infected more than once, and a later infection can be more severe.
6. Will a dengue vaccine be approved soon?
Several vaccines are in trials, but no US approval date is confirmed. Check CDC’s page for updates. For background on dengue worldwide, see the WHO dengue fact sheet.
Conclusion: the takeaway on whether there is a dengue vaccine in the US
So, is there a dengue vaccine in the US? No. Dengvaxia is discontinued, and no other dengue vaccine is approved or available.
That makes prevention your main tool. Use repellent, protect your home, and learn the warning signs. If a fever follows a mosquito exposure, see a doctor, and go to the ER for any warning sign.
Remember: is there a dengue vaccine in the US today? No. Read CDC’s dengue symptoms and testing guide before your next trip. Check the vaccine page again before you travel, since guidance can change.
