The São Paulo State Health Department began expanding its dengue vaccination campaign on Monday, May 4, to include health workers and older adults.
This expansion aims to strengthen the state's defense against the virus by protecting a larger segment of the population most likely to interact with patients or suffer severe complications. By broadening the eligible groups, officials said they hope to reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system during peak transmission periods.
The new guidelines allow health workers from both public and private networks to receive the vaccine. Additionally, the campaign now includes the general population aged 59 [1]. The program utilizes the Butantan-DV vaccine, which requires only a single dose to provide protection [2].
Vaccinations are being administered at Basic Health Units (UBSs) and ambulatory medical assistance centers across the state of São Paulo [3]. While the statewide rollout officially commenced this Monday, some regional implementation began earlier, with the city of Bragança Paulista starting its local rollout on April 29 [4].
Health officials said this expansion will provide protection to approximately 1.8 million people [5]. The move reflects an effort to scale up the immune response in the region as part of a broader strategy to combat the spread of the disease.
Local clinics are urging eligible residents to bring their identification, and vaccination records to their nearest health center to receive the single-dose shot [3].
“The program utilizes the Butantan-DV vaccine, which requires only a single dose.”
The inclusion of health workers and 59-year-olds represents a strategic shift toward protecting critical infrastructure and high-risk demographics. By prioritizing those who maintain the healthcare system and a specific age bracket, São Paulo is attempting to create a firewall against severe outbreaks that could otherwise overwhelm public hospitals.
