The Brazilian vaccine manufacturers' perspective and its current status.

This article aims to give an overview of the current situation and perspectives for the Brazilian vaccine manufacturers, who play strong roles for developing countries in this field. The research, development and production of immunobiologicals in Brazil, especially vaccines for human use, is mainly supported by governmental institutions linked to the Ministry of Health as part of a strategy that prioritizes the public sector for access to vaccines and other biologicals that are regarded essential for the population. As a result, 83% of the vaccines required in 2007 were provided by national vaccine producers and only 17% were imported, mainly to reference centers for special vaccines that were used for special patients. Moreover, the country has actively exported yellow fever vaccine since 2002 and meningitis AC vaccine since 2007, having covered more than 60 nations. The perspectives have positively increased due to the government's policy of making internal investments, not only to avoid the external dependence of products for public health, but also to strengthen the Brazilian industrial sector related to biotechnology.