Coronavirus

Brazilian regulators greenlight AstraZeneca vaccine

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) granted permanent approval for the coronavirus vaccine developed by British-Swedish lab AstraZeneca, in partnership with the University of Oxford. It becomes just the second immunizer to clear all regulatory hurdles in the country, after the Pfizer vaccine.

After undermining the benefits of vaccines for months, the Jair Bolsonaro administration has recently pivoted to championing inoculations amid mounting pressure from economic sectors and public opinion.

Anvisa’s decision comes as some European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, until the European Union’s medicines regulator can investigate whether the shot is linked to reports of blood clots.

Anvisa also approved the use of antiviral drug Remdesivir for treating Covid-19. The intravenous medicine, which prevents viral replication, will be used in hospitalized patients to mitigate symptoms. Though it is currently being used in the U.S., the World Health Organization does not recommend the drug as an effective coronavirus treatment.

Support this coverage →
Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.

Recent Posts

Petro’s far-fetched train project to compete with the Panama Canal

Panama was once a part of Colombia. Its canal, a monumental engineering achievement of its…

7 hours ago

Market Roundup: The new skills corporate board members need

The specialization trend among corporate board members It is not only a matter of perception:…

1 day ago

As elections near, what’s next for Panama’s closed copper mine?

Panama will hold its presidential elections on Sunday, months after huge protests saw thousands descend…

1 day ago

Madonna concert to inject BRL 300 million into Rio economy

The city of Rio de Janeiro estimates that a Madonna concert this Saturday on Copacabana…

2 days ago

Panama ready to vote as Supreme Court clears frontrunner

Latin America’s trend of banning opposition candidates from elections has caught on in an ever-growing…

2 days ago

Sabesp privatization edges closer with São Paulo legislation

The São Paulo City Council on Thursday approved legislation authorizing Brazil’s largest city to sign…

2 days ago