Coronavirus

Health Ministry has two more days to decide on Chinese vaccine

Health Ministry has two more days to decide on Chinese vaccine
São Paulo state officials during a press conference. Photo: GOVESP

São Paulo Governor João Doria informed the Health Ministry that the federal government has two more days to decide whether it will purchase the CoronaVac vaccine — developed by the São Paulo-based Butantan Institute, in partnership with Chinese pharmaceutical group Sinovac Biotech.

Mr. Doria said that he will meet with Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello to discuss whether the vaccine — which is produced in São Paulo — will be distributed on a national scale. The governor also said that he is in talks with other Brazilian states to sell the medicine directly, in case the Health Ministry opts not to purchase it.

The São Paulo state government will disclose its final report today on the vaccine’s phase three trials.Vaccination plans in the state of São Paulo are expected to start by December 15 and health professionals will be the first to get immunization.

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