Jacareí, a city in Brazil's São Paulo state, starts its dengue immunization campaign on Monday with the aim of combating a surge in cases that saw 540 confirmed instances and one death this year. The city will administer the Butantan-DV vaccine, notable for being the first single-dose vaccine against dengue globally. In this initial phase, the priority for vaccination will be given to professionals working in basic healthcare, including doctors and nursing technicians, who are crucial for managing and preventing the spread of the disease.

Health Secretary of Jacareí, Aguida Fernandes, revealed in an interview that the municipality received only 506 doses of the vaccine, which is less than 50% of the expected 1,126 doses. This shortfall puts pressure on the local health authorities as they plan to vaccinate healthcare workers first and will need to request additional doses to ensure broader coverage. This situation reflects a common challenge faced by many regions dealing with outbreaks, as limited vaccine supplies can hinder effective public health responses.

Prior to the introduction of the single-dose vaccine, Jacareí was administering a two-dose dengue vaccine targeting the age group of 10 to 14 years. The transition to the Butantan-DV vaccine indicates an effort to enhance immunization strategies and improve public health outcomes in response to ongoing dengue threats. The move to a single-dose regimen aims to increase accessibility and compliance among the population, thus potentially reducing the disease’s impact on the community.