THE HAGUE – The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised against introducing a dengue vaccination program for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, including Curaçao and Aruba, citing uncertainty over its effectiveness and safety.
The recommendation was issued at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Health, which sought guidance on whether a broader rollout of the dengue vaccine would be beneficial in the region.
According to the council, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks. A key concern is that the existing vaccine does not provide equal protection against all variants of the dengue virus.
In addition, there are concerns about possible side effects, particularly for individuals who have never previously been infected with dengue. For this group, the vaccine could carry higher risks, making it unclear whether a vaccination program would ultimately lead to improved public health outcomes.
Dengue, also known as “breakbone fever,” is transmitted by mosquitoes and is present throughout the Caribbean. While most cases are mild, the disease can in some instances lead to serious complications.
The Health Council also noted that dengue outbreaks vary significantly from year to year, making it difficult to predict the potential impact of a vaccination program.
Given these uncertainties, the council recommends gathering more data on both the spread of dengue and the real-world performance of the vaccine before making a final decision. Future findings could still lead to reconsideration of vaccination as part of public health policy in Curaçao and the wider Caribbean.