Brazil has received its first batch of A/H1N1 vaccine from other countries, a research center reported Tuesday.

The Butantan Institute, a biomedical research center, is responsible for the production of more than 80 percent of serums and vaccines consumed in Brazil.

Last Wednesday, the institute received 600,000 ready doses and 5 million concentrated doses from France.

Butantan will receive 41 million doses of vaccine in total until March. Of those doses, 23 million will be ready doses from the United States and 1 million from France.

Sao Paulo's health department said that the national vaccination campaign should begin in March or April.

According to the country's vaccination criteria, priority will be given to health care workers, pregnant women, the indigenous population and those with chronic diseases.

Brazil has invested 444 million reais (US$253 million) in the purchase of the vaccines.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2010)