The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the start of testing for the vaccine candidate—developed by the Vaccine Technology Center at the Federal University of Minas Gerais—Agencia Brasil reported on Saturday.
The Phase I clinical study will involve 48 volunteers aged 18 to 59 with no history of malaria infection.
Over a period of 360 days, researchers will evaluate the product’s safety, potential adverse reactions, and its ability to stimulate an immune response.
The Ministry of Health plans to allocate 12 million reais (2.4 million US dollars) to the development of clinical trials covering stages I, II, and III.
Vivaxin will target the *Plasmodium vivax* parasite, which is prevalent in the Americas and Asia and is the leading cause of malaria in Brazil.
Official data indicate that the South American nation recorded 118,037 cases of the disease in 2025.
Currently, the two malaria vaccines recommended by international health authorities were developed to combat *Plasmodium falciparum*, which is widespread in Africa.
Medical sources emphasize that malaria is an infectious disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female *Anopheles* mosquitoes.
Its most common symptoms include fever, chills, and tremors; without timely diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to serious complications. The highest concentration of cases in Brazil is found in the Amazon region, which encompasses states such as Amazonas, Para, Acre, Amapa, Roraima, Rondonia, Tocantins, Maranhao, and Mato Grosso.
According to the health ministry, the authorization to test Vivaxin represents a step forward in the search for new prevention tools and in strengthening Brazil’s scientific capacity.
jcm/dsa
