Two years after the start of dengue vaccination in Brazil, coverage remains inadequate in the cities of Ribeirão Preto, Barretos, and Franca. Most young individuals receive the first dose, but many do not return for the crucial second dose required to complete their vaccination schedule. Initiated in February 2024, this vaccine targets children and adolescents aged 10 to 14, a demographic that sees a high incidence of dengue-related hospitalizations, second only to the elderly, for whom the vaccine has not yet been approved.

The vaccination scheme requires two doses, with a three-month interval between them. The Brazilian Ministry of Health indicates that an ideal vaccination coverage rate should be above 90%. However, in the key municipalities of the Ribeirão Preto region, current immunization rates fall significantly short of this target. The situation highlights a concerning gap in public health efforts to control dengue fever, emphasizing the urgent need for increased outreach and compliance to ensure young people receive both doses of the vaccine.

The implications of this continued low vaccination coverage are significant. With rising dengue cases, the failure to achieve herd immunity could lead to more severe outbreaks, affecting not only those unvaccinated but also the overall community health. Public health officials must address barriers to vaccination adherence and implement strategies to encourage completion of the vaccination series among the targeted age group, as the failure to do so may perpetuate cycles of dengue transmission in the region.