Vaccination against measles and yellow fever was intensified in the municipality of São Paulo, which started January 12. The action, carried out by the Ministry of Health in partnership with local managers, occurs after the confirmation of two imported cases of measles last year. The strategy prioritizes places with high circulation of people, such as bus terminals, metro stations, shopping malls and airports. In the case of yellow fever, the focus is on updating the vaccination records of the population.

The strategy includes a mobilization day for the general population, scheduled for January 24th, in addition to actions targeted at specific audiences between January 19th and 23rd, such as public safety professionals, taxi drivers, and hotel workers. The goal is to increase vaccination coverage and reduce the number of people susceptible to the diseases.

According to the director of the National Immunization Program (PNI) of the Ministry of Health, Eder Gatti, intensifying vaccination is fundamental for prevention. “Vaccination is the main tool for protection. By reinforcing actions in large urban centers, we can interrupt transmission chains and protect the population collectively,” he emphasized.

These actions are part of a set of measures adopted by the Ministry of Health to block the reintroduction of measles in Brazil. Since 2024, the country has been considered free of endemic circulation of the virus by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). In November 2025, Brazil was once again recognized for its efforts to maintain this status.

The measles vaccine is recommended for people aged 12 months to 59 years. The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 months to 59 years. To get vaccinated, simply go to a Basic Health Unit (UBS) or one of the vaccination points that will be distributed throughout the municipality in high-traffic areas. The vaccines are free through the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System).

Brazil maintains certification for measles elimination.

Brazil remains free of endemic measles virus circulation. In addition to the elimination certificate already achieved, the country has once again had its actions recognized by the PAHO/WHO Regional Monitoring Commission, which ensure the maintenance of this status, a result of advances in vaccination and a rapid response to imported cases.

Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Health reinforced measles vaccination in several regions of the country, including states bordering Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, considered strategic due to the higher risk of virus circulation.

Last year, more than 24 million doses were sent to all states to protect the population, of which more than 8 million were administered. For São Paulo, 5 million doses were sent, with 1.7 million administered so far.

In border regions, the so-called “zero dose” was also adopted, applied to children aged 6 to 11 months as an additional protective measure in epidemiological risk scenarios. To date, 184,700 doses of this strategy have been administered. Brazil also donated more than 640,000 doses of the measles vaccine to Bolivia.

Epidemiological scenario

In 2025, Brazil confirmed 38 imported cases of measles, mostly associated with international travel or contact with areas of low vaccination coverage. In the state of São Paulo, up to December, 1,400 cases of the disease were reported, 359 of which were in the municipality, with two confirmed imported cases.

Regarding yellow fever, between July 2024 and June 2025, 123 human cases were confirmed in the country, 63 of which were in the state of São Paulo. In the current monitoring period (2025/2026), to date, there are no confirmed human cases. The capital will take advantage of this opportunity to intensify vaccination and expand the population’s protection against the disease.