Dengue: The World's First Single-Dose Vaccine Approved in Brazil

The world's first single-dose vaccine against dengue was approved on Wednesday in Brazil, a development deemed "historic" by the authorities in the South American country, which was the hardest hit by the disease last year.

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has authorized the use of the Butantan-DV vaccine, developed by the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo, for individuals aged 12 to 59.

So far, the only globally available vaccine against dengue is TAK-003, which requires two doses spaced three months apart, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The single-dose option can facilitate and accelerate mass vaccination campaigns.

"This is a historic success for science and health in Brazil," said Esper Kallas, director of the Butantan Institute, a public entity, during a press conference in Sao Paulo.

"A disease that has plagued us for decades can now be fought with a very powerful weapon," he added.

Brazil has reached an agreement with the Chinese company WuXi to supply approximately 30 million doses in the second half of 2026, explained Health Minister Alexandre Padilha.

The new vaccine has been tested on over 16,000 volunteers across 14 Brazilian states over an eight-year period, showing an efficacy of 91.6% against the most severe form of the disease.

Transmitted to humans by the tiger mosquito, dengue can cause high fever, headaches, muscle pain, nausea, and rashes. In rare cases, it can be fatal.

Last year, Brazil recorded more than 6,000 dengue deaths, nearly half of the total global reported fatalities.

A study from Stanford University published in 2024 estimated that climate change is responsible for 19% of current dengue cases.

The tiger mosquito, once confined to tropical regions, is now well established in Europe, where it finds increasingly favorable climatic conditions.