At least 825 municipalities have shown interest in participating in a consortium to negotiate joint vaccine purchases. The initiative’s terms are expected to be signed on March 5.
Last week, the Supreme Court authorized local governments to buy immunizers independent of the federal administration — and the Senate approved similar legislation on Tuesday.
Mayors complain that the federal government has not been able to meet the country’s demand. “What is now a pandemic could evolve into an endemic disease, in which we may have to frequently vaccinate people,” said Jonas Donizette, president of the National Front of Mayors.
Brazil administered its first Covid-19 vaccine on January 17. In 46 days, the country has made slow progress in inoculating at-risk populations. The rollout would have to be increased eleven-fold to immunize the entire country by the end of the year.
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