Brazil Health Ministry Blocks Shingrix for SUS After Cost-Effectiveness Finding

Overview

• The ministry’s portaria published on Jan. 12 formalized non-incorporation for people aged 80 or older and immunocompromised adults from 18.
• Conitec estimated vaccinating up to 1.5 million people per year would cost more than R$ 5.2 billion over five years.
• The manufacturer’s offer was R$ 403.30 per dose, while Conitec calculated about R$ 75.75 per dose would be needed for cost-effectiveness.
• The vaccine evaluated is GSK’s Shingrix, approved in Brazil in 2021, which remains available only in the private sector at high out-of-pocket cost for a two-dose regimen.
• The ministry signaled ongoing price negotiations and said the case could be reassessed if new evidence or materially different proposals are presented.