Brazil Suspends Dengue Vaccine After 2 Deaths, 42 Severe Cases

Brazil's government has ordered a temporary suspension of its national dengue vaccine after two deaths and 42 cases of severe symptoms were reported among those who received it. The vaccine was developed by the state-run Butantan Institute.

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha emphasized that while no conclusive scientific data directly links the vaccine to the fatalities or severe complications, the suspension is based on a strict precautionary principle. He noted that the adverse reactions under investigation represent a small statistical portion of the approximately 500,000 doses administered since January.

Patients experiencing adverse effects initially showed symptoms similar to mosquito-borne illnesses, which later evolved into more serious clinical manifestations. These included persistent abdominal pain and hemorrhagic episodes, according to health officials. The suspension is temporary and will remain in effect pending the results of complementary laboratory audits.

Despite the pause on the Butantan vaccine, Brazil maintains access to dengue immunization through an imported vaccine produced by Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. This measure comes as Brazil grapples with an unprecedented dengue epidemic in 2024, having recorded 6.5 million probable cases and 6,321 deaths, shattering previous records. The country had seen a significant reduction in cases and deaths in the previous year.