Brazil authorised the Butantan-DV single-dose dengue vaccine on 26 November for people aged 12 to 59. Health experts say a single dose could improve protection in remote and hard-to-reach areas such as the Amazon. The approval comes after Brazil's large dengue epidemic in 2024, when 6.4 million cases and 5,972 deaths were reported. Globally, more than 14 million cases were reported in 2024 and 12.6 million of those were in Latin America.
Late-stage trials in Brazil with 16,000 volunteers over nearly a decade showed 74.7% overall efficacy and 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue. Recent data indicates 100% efficacy against hospitalisations. Butantan said the vaccine will join the national immunisation programme in early 2026. More than 1 million doses are ready, and a partnership with WuXi Vaccines aims to produce 60 million doses over the next two years.
Difficult words
- authorised — give official permission or approval
- single-dose — vaccine given in one injection
- remote — far away from towns or cities
- epidemic — many people sick at the same time
- efficacy — how well a medicine or vaccine works
- severe — very bad or serious in effect
- immunisation — program to give vaccines to many people
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think a single-dose vaccine is useful in remote places? Why?
- How would you feel if a vaccine had high protection against severe illness?
- Have you or someone you know had a vaccine that helped prevent a serious disease?
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