Coronavirus

Oxford? China? Brazil’s first Covid-19 vaccine is likely to be Russian

Despite an intense national coronavirus vaccine debate, the first to be distributed in Brazil is likely to be Russian-made

vaccine sputnik russia russian brazil
Sputnik Vaccine, in Tomsk. Photo: Dmitriy Kandinskiy/Shutterstock

The story grabbing all of the headlines in Brazilian politics this last week has been the dispute between President Jair Bolsonaro and São Paulo Governor João Doria over the Chinese-made CoronaVac coronavirus vaccine. While Mr. Doria — the head of Brazil’s most populous and wealthiest state — has promised vaccination to his entire constituency, the Brazilian head of state has been adamant that the country will not fund any vaccines from China, nor will he allow mandatory inoculation. Indeed, the federal government has been keener on supporting the vaccine being produced by Oxford University and British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca.

However, despite the back and forth between vaccines from China and the United Kingdom, the first Covid-19 vaccine to be distributed to Brazilians is likely to be Russian-made, and will come from a factory on the outskirts of the capital Brasília.

Russia leading the vaccine race?

Brazil’s “first coronavirus vaccine” is the result of an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Manufacturing is set to begin in the second fortnight of November, with vaccines...

Don't miss this opportunity!

Interested in staying updated on Brazil and Latin America? Subscribe to start receiving our reports now!