Request for emergency approval of AstraZeneca vaccine filed in Brazil

The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation — Brazil’s federal flagship biological institute — filed a request for the emergency approval of the coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and British-Swedish lab AstraZeneca. The Brazilian foundation is responsible for carrying out trials with the vaccine in the country.

The move came hours after São Paulo officials filed for clearance to use the Chinese-made CoronaVac — in yet another sign of the political war of attrition being staged by the federal government and the São Paulo state administration.

Brazil hopes to import 2 million ready-for-use doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Indian lab Serum Institute — responsible for part of its production. Clearance could come within ten days, but the agency may extend the deadline if further information is necessary.

Government officials informed the results will be announced in a future press conference.

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