Coronavirus

Health Minister says vaccination could start in “December or January”

vaccination Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello. Photo: Alan Santos/PR
Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello. Photo: Alan Santos/PR

One day after saying the Brazilian government will pursue universal vaccination against Covid-19, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello declared that immunization could begin in December or January “if Pfizer manages to obtain emergency authorization” from health regulators.

Speaking to cable news station CNN Brasil, Mr. Pazuello went on to say that the vaccination process could be brought forward in small quantities for emergency use. On Tuesday, the Health Minister had stressed that immunization could only begin after approval from regulators Anvisa, which would take “60 days for any vaccine.” 

The government’s apparent U-turn regarding its vaccine schedule appears to be in response to São Paulo Governor João Doria’s decision to start vaccination for his state on January 25, despite the lack of a nationwide plan.

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