The Health Ministry is still studying the efficacy of the world's first dengue vaccine before making a decision on whether to license its use in the country.

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said a committee of experts was carrying out a study from various aspects, including the possible effects on target groups, using all data available on the vaccine.

"In Malaysia, people from the age of 20 to 40 are getting dengue. From the data gathered, the vaccine only protects those aged between nine and 18 years. So we can see some gaps in the protection.

"Due to that, we are not sure whether the vaccine will solve the dengue problem," he told a press conference after launching a 'Back to School' programme at the Simpang Lima Tamil school in Klang today.

The world’s first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxi, was approved in Mexico and the Philippines became the first Asian country to allow its sale.

- Bernama