The first vaccine formulated to combat dengue fever, a virus spread by the same mosquito responsible for Zika, has launched in the Philippines, according to a CNN report.
Dengue fever infects nearly 400 million people annually. French drugmaker Sanofi spend $1.8 billion to develop the vaccine. Highly-affected areas in the Phillippines now have access to an immunization program through schools.
Manufacturers are optimistic that the vaccine could reduce infections from dengue in the Phillippines by nearly a quarter over the next five years. About 25,000 people die from dengue fever annually.