Brazil issues dengue vaccine second dose call amid rising case projections

Health authorities in Brazil are calling for individuals aged 4 to 59 who received their first dengue vaccine dose between July 11 and July 22 to return to health units to complete their vaccination schedule. The second dose is essential to ensure a satisfactory immune response and protect against all four virus serotypes.

To facilitate access, a temporary vaccination point will be available at the Francisca Conceição da Silva Municipal Hospital, offering services outside regular hours. While the second dose can be obtained at Basic Health Units, the specialized site aims to increase coverage for the expanded age group.

These efforts come as projections from InfoDengue/Fiocruz suggest Brazil could record approximately 1.7 million dengue cases by 2027. Experts emphasize that combining vaccination, such as the Qdenga vaccine, with domestic preventive measures—like eliminating standing water to destroy Aedes aegypti breeding sites—is critical to reducing hospitalizations and severe disease impact.