The Butantan Institute has 1 million doses ready. After initial applications, the vaccine is expected to become part of the Brazilian vaccination calendar in 2026.
According to Padilha, there is still no definition of the groups that should receive the vaccine directly. Discussions on this topic should take place next week.
Furthermore, the ministry expects that the current vaccine will have greater adherence, because it is a single-dose option. The only vaccine available in Brazil so far is Qdenga, from the pharmaceutical company Takeda, which enhances protection in two doses.
This vaccine brings us a lot of hope, which are two of its characteristics. First, it is a single dose, which helps a lot with adherence. Padilha said that one of the difficulties in adhering to the only vaccine we have, from the international product, is that it requires two doses.