Scientists Discover How Dengue Vaccine Fails to Protect Against Disease June 23, 2021 UNC School of Medicine scientists led by Aravinda de Silva, PhD, identified the small subpopulation of antibodies in vaccinated children that correlate with protection against dengue fever. This research should help shape better vaccines for one of the most widespread infectious diseases in the world. Aravinda de Silva, PhD CHAPEL HILL, NC – Developing a viable vaccine against dengue virus has proved difficult because the pathogen is actually four different virus types, or serotypes. Unless a vaccine protects against all four, a vaccine can wind up doing more harm than good.