O Butantan Institute is recruiting volunteers for the clinical trial of a new flu vaccine. The trials are aimed at people aged 60 or over in the cities of São Paulo and São Caetano do Sul.
The new immunizer has an adjuvant, a substance that enhances the production of antibodies, in its composition. The objective is to increase immunity in the elderly, who naturally have reduced immunity and are more susceptible to complications from the disease. The study is conducted in partnership with the Research Center of the Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul (USCS).
Men and women aged 60 or over who are healthy or with treated comorbidities, such as , and clinically stable, can participate. Individuals with immunodeficiency or unstabilized diseases will not be included.
According to Butantan, the study will be carried out in five other municipalities in São Paulo (Campinas, Valinhos, Ribeirão Preto, Serrana and São José do Rio Preto) and must include at least 6 thousand volunteers. Half of the participants will receive the Butantan adjuvanted vaccine and the other half will receive a high-dose flu vaccine, currently available in the private network and recommended for people over 60 years of age. In this way, professionals will make a comparison between the immunizers. Participants will be followed for six months.
The flu can cause anything from an asymptomatic infection to a serious illness. In 2025, according to the InfoGripe Bulletin, 231,812 cases of , with 13,678 deaths, were reported in Brazil. Almost half of the deaths occurred in people infected with the influenza A virus, the majority of whom were elderly people over 65 years of age and children under two years of age.
Elderly people are more likely to develop complications during a flu infection due to factors such as immunosenescence – a natural decline that occurs as the immune system ages – and the presence of comorbidities, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Vaccination prevents the development of more serious symptoms, complications and hospitalization, also avoiding overload on the healthcare system.
Volunteers can register. Or by phone (11) 96461-0163.
