Lingering questions around Brazil’s vaccination plan

As Brazilian federal health regulator Anvisa issued emergency approval for 6 million doses of the Chinese-made CoronaVac and 2 million of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, its board members detailed exactly what they analyzed in the data provided by each laboratory. And while the regulatory approval is a landmark in Brazil’s fight against the pandemic, there remains a long way to go before both vaccines get unrestricted authorization for use and distribution.

Gustavo Mendes, in charge of Anvisa’s medication safety department, recommended that regulators “keep a very close eye on the uncertainties [around each vaccine] and constantly reassess their development.” He continued: “If we don’t monitor it closely...