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Reasons to Get Vaccinated

Key points

  • A dengue vaccine is safe and effective.
  • Dengue can be life threatening, but the vaccine can prevent illness, severe illness, and hospitalization.
  • Dengue is common in some areas of the United States.
  • Talk to your child's healthcare provider to find out if your child is eligible for a dengue vaccine.
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The vaccine is safe & effective

  • A dengue vaccine can protect against future dengue infections or from getting severe disease among children with previous dengue infection.
    • Children are at the highest risk of hospitalization with the second dengue infection.
    • Every dengue infection has a risk of hospitalization and severe illness.
  • The vaccine provides years of protection.
    • We are still learning about how long the vaccine protects children.
    • To date, we know that the vaccine can provide protection against dengue for at least 6 years.

Dengue is common

  • Dengue is common in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, 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.
    • The risk of getting dengue while living on the islands is high.
In Puerto Rico, 5 out of 10 children aged 9-16 have had dengue.
In Puerto Rico, about half of children ages 9-16 have had dengue and are eligible for the vaccine.

Parents:‎

Talk to your child's healthcare provider to find out if your child is eligible for a dengue vaccine.

Vaccine access

Where to find this vaccine

In the United States, Dengvaxia dengue vaccine is currently available in Puerto Rico.

Your child's healthcare provider is usually the best person to discuss recommended vaccines for your child. This vaccine is a part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in Puerto Rico. If your healthcare provider does not have this vaccine available, ask for a referral or contact the local department of health.

Directory of providers‎

Consult the Puerto Rico Department of Health dengue vaccine website for the directory of providers currently vaccinating against dengue.

Paying for the vaccine

Most health insurance plans cover routine vaccinations. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program also provides vaccines for children 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)