Brazil's Butantan continues dengue vaccine trial in elderly

The Instituto Butantan confirmed it will keep its clinical trial of the dengue vaccine running, a study that began in January across four research centres in Brazil's South region. The trial focuses on volunteers aged 60 to 79, assessing safety and the immune response compared with earlier adult studies. It aims to determine whether elderly participants generate antibody levels similar to those of the adult group.

The study follows the health minister's announcement that the vaccine's use in the general population was suspended after reports of severe adverse reactions and two deaths. Tests will be carried out over a year in Porto Alegre, Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul) and Curitiba, with the institute stressing that any future resumption of vaccination will depend on rigorous scientific data.

Butantan director Dr. Esper Kallas reiterated confidence in the vaccine as an important tool against dengue, emphasizing the need for careful investigation before a possible restart.