Brazil Initiates Single-Dose Dengue Vaccination with Butantan-DV in Ceará and Minas Gerais

National Dengue Vaccination Campaign Underway

Brazil has officially launched a single-dose dengue vaccination campaign in pilot cities across the states of Ceará and Minas Gerais. The initiative, which began on Saturday, January 17, 2026, utilizes the Butantan-DV vaccine, a 100% national immunizer developed by the Instituto Butantan. The cities of Maranguape in Ceará and Nova Lima in Minas Gerais were among the first to roll out the vaccine, with Botucatu in São Paulo state joining the effort on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

This campaign marks a significant step in Brazil's public health strategy against dengue, a mosquito-borne illness prevalent in tropical regions. The initial phase targets individuals between 15 and 59 years of age in these selected municipalities.

Butantan-DV: A Milestone in National Vaccine Development

The Butantan-DV vaccine, a tetravalent formulation effective against all four dengue serotypes, received approval from Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) on November 26, 2025. Its registration was officially published on December 8, 2025. This vaccine is notable for being the world's first single-dose dengue vaccine, a characteristic expected to streamline logistics and enhance public adherence to vaccination programs.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the vaccine's robust efficacy. Studies showed an overall efficacy of 74.7% against symptomatic dengue in individuals aged 12 to 59. Furthermore, it exhibited 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue and dengue with warning signs, and a 100% efficacy rate against dengue-related hospitalizations.

Production and Future Expansion

The Instituto Butantan had already produced over 1 million doses of the Butantan-DV vaccine by November 2025, even before its official approval. The institute projects a significant increase in production, aiming for approximately 100 million additional doses by the end of 2027. To support this large-scale production, a partnership has been established with the Chinese company WuXi Biologics, with an aim to deliver around 30 million doses in the second half of 2026.

The selection of Maranguape, Nova Lima, and Botucatu as pilot cities was based on their population size, typically between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants, and their well-structured health networks. This strategic approach allows for a thorough evaluation of the vaccine's impact on disease transmission and will inform the broader national rollout. While the Butantan-DV vaccine is being introduced, Brazil also continues to utilize the two-dose Qdenga (TAK-003) vaccine from Takeda in other campaigns, primarily for children and adolescents aged 10 to 14.