Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

New dengue vaccine over 80% effective, prevents severe disease for up to 5 years

A new vaccine that targets the mosquito-borne <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">dengue</a> has proven to be over 80 percent effective in preventing the risk of severe disease for up to five years, according to a recent study conducted by Brazilian researchers.

The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, confirmed that the tetravalent dengue vaccine -- Butantan-DV -- developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, prevents hospitalizations and offers broader protection against all four dengue serotypes.

“This vaccine is establishing itself as a very important tool in the fight against dengue in Brazil, with the potential to contribute to reducing the circulation of the virus, in addition to individual protection,” said Fernanda Boulos, the institute’s medical director of clinical trials. 

The phase 3 clinical trial, conducted from February 2016 to July 2019, involved 16,235 participants between the ages of 2 and 59. 

The researchers compared individuals who received a single dose of the vaccine (10,259) with those who were administered a placebo (5,976). 

<ul><li>The results showed </li><li>80.5 percent effectiveness against severe dengue cases </li><li>no hospitalization in the vaccinated group vs 8 cases in the placebo group </li><li>65 percent effective in preventing symptomatic dengue</li></ul>

The Butantan-DV vaccine is tetravalent and offers protection against the four known serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. 

The vaccine uses live viruses that have been “weakened” (attenuated) in a laboratory.

Once administered, the vaccine controls replication of these attenuated viruses in the body -- a process which induces the immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies specific to each of the four serotypes. 

The vaccines create immunity specific to each serotype to enable the body to recognize and neutralize each variant individually. 

The Butantan-DV vaccine was approved by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) on November 26, 2025, for use by the Brazilian population aged 12 to 59.

<ul><li>incorporated the vaccine into the national immunization program in January</li><li>launched a pilot project to immunize 90 percent of the target population in states with high burden </li><li>rolled out vaccination of primary care health professionals in February</li></ul>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/national-dengue-day-2025-why-is-dengue-fever-on-the-rise-despite-vaccines-article-151654024" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Is Dengue Fever on the Rise Despite Vaccines?</a>

<h2>Global <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">Dengue</a> Burden</h2>

Dengue is transmitted through infected mosquitoes, primarily the species Aedes aegypti. 

<ul><li>Sudden onset of high-grade fever.</li><li>Intense headache </li><li>Severe muscle, joint, or bone pain.</li><li>Skin Rash that often appears 2–5 days after the fever starts</li><li>Nausea and Vomiting </li><li>Fatigue</li></ul>

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue.

<ul><li>about 390 million dengue infections occur annually worldwide </li><li>nearly 100 million people develop symptoms each year </li></ul>

The two main authorized vaccines in the world against dengue are Dengvaxia and Qdenga.

These vaccines are designed to protect against all four serotypes of the virus, with a focus on reducing severe disease and hospitalizations.

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A new vaccine that targets the mosquito-borne dengue has proven to be over 80 percent effective in preventing the risk of severe disease for up to five years, according to a recent study conducted by Brazilian researchers. The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, confirmed that the tetravalent dengue vaccine -- Butantan-DV -- developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, prevents hospitalizations and offers broader protection against all four dengue serotypes.“This vaccine is establishing itself as a very important tool in the fight against dengue in Brazil, with the potential to contribute to reducing the circulation of the virus, in addition to individual protection,” said Fernanda Boulos, the institute’s medical director of clinical trials. The Phase 3 Clinical Trial The phase 3 clinical trial, conducted from February 2016 to July 2019, involved 16,235 participants between the ages of 2 and 59. The researchers compared individuals who received a single dose of the vaccine (10,259) with those who were administered a placebo (5,976). The results showed 80.5 percent effectiveness against severe dengue cases no hospitalization in the vaccinated group vs 8 cases in the placebo group 65 percent effective in preventing symptomatic dengue The Butantan-DV Vaccine The Butantan-DV vaccine is tetravalent and offers protection against the four known serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. The vaccine uses live viruses that have been “weakened” (attenuated) in a laboratory.Once administered, the vaccine controls replication of these attenuated viruses in the body -- a process which induces the immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies specific to each of the four serotypes.  The vaccines create immunity specific to each serotype to enable the body to recognize and neutralize each variant individually. The Butantan-DV vaccine was approved by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) on November 26, 2025, for use by the Brazilian population aged 12 to 59. The country's Ministry of Health has incorporated the vaccine into the national immunization program in Januarylaunched a pilot project to immunize 90 percent of the target population in states with high burden rolled out vaccination of primary care health professionals in FebruaryAlso read: Why Is Dengue Fever on the Rise Despite Vaccines? Global Dengue BurdenDengue is transmitted through infected mosquitoes, primarily the species Aedes aegypti. Common Symptoms include:Sudden onset of high-grade fever.Intense headache Severe muscle, joint, or bone pain.Skin Rash that often appears 2–5 days after the fever startsNausea and Vomiting FatigueAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), about half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue. It estimates that: about 390 million dengue infections occur annually worldwide nearly 100 million people develop symptoms each year The two main authorized vaccines in the world against dengue are Dengvaxia and Qdenga. These vaccines are designed to protect against all four serotypes of the virus, with a focus on reducing severe disease and hospitalizations.