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Registered Yellow Fever Centre, Cambridge
Heading to south-east Asia, Latin America or the Caribbean? Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. It is one of the most common causes of fever in people returning to the UK from tropical trips. A dengue vaccine is available privately in the UK, but it is only suitable for some travellers. At Cambridge Travel Clinic we can talk through your history and itinerary and tell you whether it makes sense for you. You can book a travel consultation online.
What is dengue and where is it found?
Dengue is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes that bite mainly during the day. They breed close to where people live, so city breaks carry risk too. TravelHealthPro says the risk of bites is thought to be highest for two to three hours after dawn and in the early evening.
Dengue is common across the tropics, including:
South and Southeast Asia, including popular trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, India and Sri Lanka
Central and South America and the Caribbean
Parts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Some parts of southern Europe, where locally acquired cases have been reported in Croatia, France, Italy, Madeira and Spain, mainly from spring to autumn
Many people who catch dengue have no symptoms. Others get a high temperature, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea and a rash, usually 4 to 10 days after the bite. A small number develop severe dengue, which needs urgent hospital care.
Who is the dengue vaccine recommended for?
UK advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), set out in the UKHSA Green Book dengue chapter, is quite specific. The vaccine is mainly aimed at people who have had dengue before, because a second dengue infection can be more severe than the first.
Vaccination is usually recommended for people who:
Are aged 4 years or older
Have had a confirmed or likely previous dengue infection
Are travelling to an area where dengue is present all year, to a seasonal area during its dengue season or to an outbreak area, or are exposed through their work
If you have never had dengue, the vaccine is not usually recommended. Evidence in this group is limited, so JCVI has taken a cautious approach, and it is only considered after careful discussion with an experienced travel health clinician.
How do we know if you have had dengue before?
The clearest evidence is a positive dengue PCR test from when you were ill. Antibody blood tests are less clear cut, because they can react to other related infections and vaccines, such as yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. NHS.uk notes these tests are not 100% reliable and are usually private. Bring any test results or hospital letters from abroad to your appointment, and we will also ask about past travel and illnesses. If you had laboratory-confirmed dengue recently, the Green Book suggests considering waiting a year after the infection before vaccinating.
How the dengue vaccine is given
Two doses, given as an injection under the skin
The second dose is given 3 months after the first
TravelHealthPro advises that protection starts around 14 days after the first dose
The need for a booster dose has not been established
The full course is two doses given 3 months apart, so book early enough to fit both doses around your travel plans.
Who should not have the dengue vaccine?
The dengue vaccine is a live vaccine. According to the Green Book it should not be given to:
Children under 4 years old
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding (pregnancy should also be avoided for at least one month after vaccination)
People with a weakened immune system, for example from certain medical conditions, including some people with HIV, or from treatments such as high dose steroids, biologic medicines, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any ingredient in the vaccine
If you are unwell with a high temperature on the day, vaccination will usually be postponed.
Avoiding mosquito bites
No vaccine replaces bite avoidance, and TravelHealthPro advises all travellers to dengue risk areas to avoid mosquito bites whether or not they have been vaccinated. Practical steps include:
Use an insect repellent containing 50% DEET (or at least 20% icaridin if you prefer), and reapply after swimming or sweating
Apply sunscreen first and repellent on top
Wear loose, long sleeved tops and long trousers, especially in the early morning and early evening
Keep windows and doors closed or screened, and sleep under an insecticide treated net if you rest during the day
Consider permethrin treated clothing for longer trips
If you feel unwell with a fever during or after your trip, get medical advice quickly and mention where you have travelled. Call 999 or go to A&E if you notice signs of severe dengue. These include severe tummy pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, or blood in vomit or stools.
Book your dengue vaccine in Cambridge
The dengue vaccine is not available on the NHS, so it is a private service. You can see current fees on our pricing page, and we’ll check stock when you book so the vaccine is ready for your appointment.
Every appointment is with one of our pharmacists. We check your whole itinerary against current UK guidance and go through every vaccine and travel medicine you might need in one visit.
We have two branches, and both are registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres. Cambridge Travel Clinic at Petersfield Pharmacy, 56 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2AS (01223 354383), is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Book at Mill Road online. Cambridge Travel Clinic at Waterbeach Pharmacy, 5 Greenside, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9HW (01223 564422), is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 1:30pm to 5:45pm. Book at Waterbeach online.
We see travellers from Cambridge, Cherry Hinton, Trumpington, Chesterton, Histon, Milton, Cottenham, Waterbeach and nearby villages. We’re happy to talk through your plans, however close your departure.