Brazil Initiates Nationwide Dengue Vaccination Campaign for Healthcare Professionals

Brazil Commences Major Dengue Vaccination Effort

Brazil has officially launched a comprehensive nationwide dengue vaccination campaign, marking a significant public health initiative. The campaign began on February 9, 2026, with an initial focus on protecting the country's frontline healthcare professionals. This effort is supported by an investment of R$ 368 million, equivalent to $70.5 million USD, aimed at securing vaccine doses and facilitating distribution.

Butantan-DV Vaccine at the Forefront

The vaccination drive primarily utilizes the Butantan-DV vaccine, a single-dose, tetravalent vaccine developed by the Instituto Butantan in São Paulo. This vaccine is notable for being 100% nationally produced and was officially registered by Brazil's national drug authority, ANVISA, on December 8, 2025. The Butantan-DV vaccine is indicated for individuals aged 12 to 59 years and has demonstrated an overall effectiveness of 74.7% against symptomatic dengue, with 89% protection against severe forms of the disease. The Ministry of Health anticipates having 60 million doses available annually starting in 2026, with potential for increased production.

Prioritizing Frontline Healthcare Workers

The initial phase of the campaign targets approximately 1.2 million frontline healthcare professionals across the country. This includes a broad range of personnel vital to the public health system, such as:

• Doctors
• Nurses and Nursing Technicians
• Dentists
• Multiprofessional teams
• Community health workers
• Endemic disease control agents
• Administrative and support staff in healthcare units (e.g., receptionists, security guards, cleaning professionals, ambulance drivers, cooks)

This strategic prioritization aims to safeguard those most exposed to the virus and essential for managing public health responses.

Future Expansion and Broader Context

Following the initial rollout for healthcare professionals, vaccination for the general population is expected to commence later in 2026. The Instituto Butantan aims to vaccinate the entire eligible population, aged 2 to 59, within two years. Brazil has been at the forefront of dengue vaccination efforts, being the first country globally to offer a dengue vaccine free of charge through its universal public health system, the SUS. This current campaign builds upon previous efforts, which included the deployment of the Qdenga vaccine (manufactured by Takeda) in 2024, primarily targeting children aged 10 to 14 in high-transmission areas. The ongoing initiative is a direct response to Brazil facing significant dengue outbreaks, with a notable surge in cases in early 2024, despite a reported decrease in cases in 2025 compared to the previous year. Health authorities continue to emphasize that, alongside vaccination, the elimination of Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding grounds remains a crucial measure in combating the disease.