On November 9, President Lula of Brazil announced an investment of R$ 1.8 billion for the expansion of the Butantan Institute, which will include the construction of factories for vaccines against HPV and DTPa, the renovation of facilities for mRNA vaccines, and the acquisition of new equipment. This announcement also marked the start of the vaccination campaign against dengue in Brazil, beginning with the immunization of healthcare professionals using the Butantan-DV vaccine. This vaccine is notable as it is the first in the world to require only a single dose and provides protection against all four serotypes of dengue.

During the announcement at the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, Lula emphasized the significance of this breakthrough in vaccine development, highlighting that it is a product of Brazilian innovation. He expressed a hopeful vision that Brazil could produce the vaccine in sufficient quantities to assist poorer nations facing dengue outbreaks. Lula's commitment to enhancing vaccine production and expanding healthcare initiatives aligns with his administration's broader goals of addressing public health challenges in Brazil.

The initiative comes at a crucial time as dengue cases have been rising in various parts of Brazil, prompting government action to strengthen public health responses. This first phase of the vaccination campaign will target approximately 216,000 healthcare professionals, signaling a strategic step towards broader immunization efforts. The development and rollout of the Butantan-DV vaccine may not only improve public health outcomes in Brazil but also position the country as a key player in global health initiatives.