Brazil requests new anti-dengue vaccine

An application for registration of the Dengue vaccine, developed by the Butantan Scientific Research Institute (linked to the government of the Brazilian state of São Paulo) has been submitted to the National Agency for Health Surveillance (ANVISA). The three-phase trial of the vaccine was concluded in July, with clinical studies indicating an overall efficacy of 79.6% two years post-administration. In particular, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that the Brazilian immuniser demonstrated 73.6% efficacy in patients with no history of infection and 89.2% efficacy in those previously infected. According to Esper Kallás, director of the research institute, authorization for administration will enable Butantan to produce up to 100 million doses of the immunizer for distribution to the general population over the next three years. The Brazilian vaccine represents the second product developed globally against dengue, preceded only by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda. However, it is the first to provide a single dose.