Mass Vaccinations Target Brazil's Dengue Outbreak

Throughout 2023, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported significant increases in the number of dengue virus cases. By mid-December, the Region had experienced about 57% increase in dengue cases compared with data published in 2022.

And the Region experienced a case fatality rate of 0.049%.

The ongoing dengue outbreak has significantly impacted the Federative Republic of Brazil, which confirmed over 1.6 million dengue cases in 2023.

In an attempt to reduce additional mosquito-transmitted dengue cases, one area in Brazil recently launched a mass vaccination campaign.

Local media reported the city of Dourados, located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, initiated Brazil's inaugural dengue vaccination campaign.

On December 22, 2023, Brazil's Ministry of Health announced it incorporated the QDENGA® (TAK-003) Tetravalent Vaccine into the Unified Health System.

SAMAA reported on January 4, 2024, that Dourados intends to inoculate approximately 150,000 residents with Takeda's QDENGA in early 2024. A second dose will be administered three months after the first.

Health Secretary Dr. Waldno Lucena commented in a news article, "Dourados has been an example for the entire country (Brazil), vaccination strengthens individual defenses and also contributes to building a collective barrier against the spread of dengue."

Due to limited supply, QDENGA vaccinations will initially target priority groups and specific regions.

However, Brazil anticipates receiving an additional 5 million doses later in 2024.

As of January 5, 2023, the QDENGA vaccine is available in various countries, such as Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Thailand, but not in the United States.

In the U.S., Sanofi Pasteur's Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) live attenuated tetravalent chimeric vaccine is U.S. FDA-approved.