Developed by Japan’s pharma company Takeda, TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue. 

• It is the second dengue vaccine to receive WHO prequalification, following the CYD-TDV vaccine.
• WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6–16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission intensity. 

About WHO Vaccine prequalification 

• It was created in 1987 to assure the quality of vaccines distributed by UN purchasing agencies.
• Vaccines showing positive outcomes after evaluation of relevant data, testing of samples and WHO inspection of relevant manufacturing sites are included in the list.
• However, inclusion in the list does not imply approval of vaccines and manufacturing sites by the WHO.
  • Such approval is a prerogative of the National Regulatory Authorities.
• Yet, pre-qualification is an important step in the expansion of global access to vaccines as it enables procurement by UN agencies including UNICEF and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). 
• Other vector-borne disease for which vaccines are included in this list include malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, etc.