Dengue vaccine available in Australia as cases soar in tourist hotspots

The dengue fever vaccine is available in Australia for the first time as cases recorded in some favourite overseas holiday destinations spike.

GPs can now order the vaccine, Qdenga, for patients under new advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which urges some travellers, especially those treated for the disease previously, to get the jab.

For people aged four and over without a history of dengue who are planning short-term travel, vaccination with Qdenga “can be considered … based on an individual risk-benefit assessment”, ATAGI advises.

The dengue virus is the fastest growing communicable disease globally, with an estimated 100 million symptomatic cases every year.

Nearly all notified dengue cases diagnosed in Australia are acquired overseas by travellers returning from endemic countries.

Five of the top 10 most visited destinations for Australian travellers – Indonesia, Thailand, India, Vietnam and Fiji – are classified as having frequent or continuous dengue transmission.

Symptoms can include a sudden fever, a headache, chills, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a faint, red rash.

The severity of the illness can range from mild to severe and in some cases can be life-threatening.

In 2024 there were a record-high 2381 notifications for dengue virus infection in Australia, although this dropped to 1863 cases in 2025.

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Peter Markey, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Specific Interests Public Health, said only people who have previously had dengue fever and were travelling to places where it was prevalent should be vaccinated.

“If you haven’t had dengue before and you’re just going to Bali for a week, you wouldn’t have it,” he said. 

“But if you’re going to Bali to live, or you’re going somewhere else where they have dengue, then it would be appropriate to have it in the long term.”

Qdenga is given in two 0.5mL injected doses, administered at least 12 weeks apart. 

ATAGI says both doses are essential to maximise the level and duration of protection.

There is a current lack of information to support the use of booster jabs.