Paraguay is set to launch its first-ever dengue vaccination campaign in mid-November 2025. Public authorities are targeting children aged six to eight years in 16 municipalities across Asunción, Central, Paraguarí, and Itapúa departments. The Ministry of Public Health received 70.200 vaccine doses in early November. The government is finalising logistics and staff training before the rollout begins. The campaign comes as health authorities report an average of 395 suspected dengue cases per week across 11 regions.
This first shipment will vaccinate approximately 35.000 children out of more than 94,000 in the eligible age group. Thus, reaching 44 per cent of the target population. The Ministry projects expanding coverage to 80 per cent in 2026 with a new vaccine shipment. This strategy could reduce severe dengue cases and hospitalisations by 73 per cent.
Why this age group faces highest risk
Children aged six to eight years have an incidence rate exceeding 5.400 cases per 100.000, far surpassing other age groups. This epidemiological data drove the decision to prioritise them for Paraguay’s vaccination efforts. The Paraguayan Society of Paediatrics has endorsed the campaign, with its president Dr. Julia Acuña describing the tetravalent dengue vaccine as a national achievement in preventive health.
The Dengue vaccine details
The campaign utilises Qdenga (TAK-003), a tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by Takeda laboratories and pre-qualified by the World Health Organization in May 2024. This dengue vaccine protects against all four dengue serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) using live attenuated viruses. The vaccination schedule requires two doses administered three months apart.
The Ministry has invested over 500 US dollars per child in this prevention policy. The 70.200 doses are currently stored at the National Vaccine Centre. Luis Cousirat, Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, explained that the Ministry is completing staff training and logistical processes before announcing specific vaccination centres. The dengue vaccine will be provided free of charge as part of Paraguay’s national immunisation programme.
Regional context drives urgency
The Pan American Health Organization reported 238.659 suspected dengue cases across 23 countries in the Americas during the first four weeks of 2025, with Brazil leading at 194.564 cases. Several countries have reported simultaneous circulation of all four dengue serotypes.
Paraguay recently saw the reappearance of DENV-3 in Areguá, Central department, a serotype not detected since 2016. This concerns health authorities because a second infection with a different serotype typically causes more severe illness. From epidemiological weeks five through seven of 2025, authorities identified 6.930 dengue cases out of 54.654 notifications, representing a seven per cent increase.
Dengue vaccine is not enough
Luis Cousirat stressed that the dengue vaccine represents an additional tool but does not replace eliminating mosquito breeding sites and using repellent. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water found in containers around homes. Even vaccinated individuals must continue prevention measures.
The government’s “Actívate Contra el Mosquito” campaign emphasises that the dengue vaccine works best when combined with environmental management and personal protection. Cousirat also revealed that the private sector is importing the dengue vaccine to offer it from four years of age, as done in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and European Union nations.
What parents should know
Authorities will announce specific vaccination centres in the 16 participating municipalities once the campaign officially begins. Parents and guardians of children aged six to eight years in Asunción, nine municipalities of Central department, three of Paraguarí, and three of Itapúa should watch for these announcements.
The Ministry aims to achieve 80 per cent coverage of the eligible population over the next year. With dengue cases showing progressive growth across multiple regions, health authorities emphasise that vaccination must be combined with continued efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and use personal protection measures.
For information about vaccination schedules and locations, consult the Ministry of Public Health at www.mspbs.gov.py or contact local health centres in participating municipalities.
Read more: Paraguay Updates Health Requirements: What Visitors Must Know.
