Low Dengue Vaccine Uptake in Brazil Amid Government Mistrust

Brazil’s dengue vaccination campaign started on February 9 but faced hurdles, as only 17% of doses found recipients a month later.

Despite distributing 1,235,236 doses across 18 states and the Federal District, officials only vaccinated 209,484 children aged 10 to 11 years.

Moreover, skepticism from Brazilians toward government vaccinations has grown, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, with forced vaccination amid societal exclusion threats.

Even today, Brazil is the sole nation currently still mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to four years old, a policy enacted on January 31, 2023.

On March 6, 2024, authorities widened the vaccination age to 10-14 years, hoping to speed up the process.

This expansion followed discussions with state and local health officials and advice from health advisory groups and the WHO.

Yet, no further age group expansion is planned, showing a targeted approach to fighting dengue.

Brazil is bracing for nearly 1.3 million dengue cases in 2024, with over 36,000 new cases and 329 deaths reported in just a day.

This year might rank as the seventh highest in dengue cases since 2000, highlighting the critical need for vaccination drives.

The Health Ministry regularly updates its dengue tracking, focusing on cases, deaths, and the disease’s spread.

Background

Brazil faces a critical challenge as dengue cases surge, prompting the government to acquire 6.2 million doses of a Japanese vaccine for immediate immunization.

The government’s response includes the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center, announced by Health Minister Nísia Trindade.

The Health Ministry plans to roll out the Qdenga vaccine to a targeted age group in hundreds of municipalities, marking a significant step in dengue prevention.

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