Brazil Begins National Rollout of RSV Maternal Vaccine Through the SUS

Overview

• The Health Ministry shipped a first lot of 673,000 doses to every state and the Federal District for immediate, free use in public clinics.
• The purchase covers 1.8 million doses now, with plans for another 4.2 million through 2027 and a technology‑transfer pact with Instituto Butantan to enable future domestic production.
• Eligibility is a single dose in each pregnancy from the 28th week, with co‑administration allowed with influenza and COVID‑19 vaccines and a national coverage target near 80%.
• State and city services began vaccinating this week, with launches reported in Campo Grande, Salvador, São Luís, Divinópolis and other municipalities as allocations arrive.
• Clinical studies show about 81.8% efficacy against severe RSV in the first 90 days of life, and officials cite roughly 43,000 severe RSV cases this year and the potential to prevent about 28,000 hospitalizations annually.