Leading candidate to replace Minister Nísia Andrade is Alexandre Padilha, currently minister of institutional relations, who served as Brazil's health minister during the Rousseff administration
President Lula is set to announce an agreement this Tuesday (25th) for the production of a single-dose, domestically produced dengue vaccine. The ceremony is being regarded by the president's aides and advisors as a “farewell” event for Health Minister Nísia Trindade.
Facing several days of internal pressure, Ms. Trindade's position is under threat due to the president's dissatisfaction with her performance. Behind the scenes, the president's aides say President Lula has already decided to dismiss her.
The leading candidate to replace her is Alexandre Padilha, currently the minister of institutional relations. He previously served as health minister during Dilma Rousseff's first term (2011-2014).
According to information distributed by the Palácio do Planalto, the dengue vaccine results from a partnership between Instituto Butantan and WuXi Biologics, a Wuxi, China-based investment holding company. It is estimated that 60 million doses will be available annually starting in 2026.
The government is considering expanding the number of shots “according to demand and production capacity.” The target demographic is people aged 2 to 59.
The Palácio do Planalto states that the vaccine's production will occur through the Ministry of Health's Local Development and Innovation Program (PDIL), “which has already been approved and is in the final stages of technological development.”
Fabio Murakawa