Brazil: the vaccine war between Jair Bolsonaro and the State of São Paulo

The vaccination campaign began in the midst of a political battle between the Bolsonaro government and the State of São Paulo, a partner of Chinese Sinovac.

Reluctantly, the government has placed an order for 46 million doses of what Jair Bolsonaro scornfully called the “Chinese vaccine”.

Andre Coelho AFP / Archivos

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In Brazil, the milestone of 220,000 deaths and nine million confirmed cases has been crossed.

The vaccination campaign began in the middle of a political battle between the Bolsonaro government and the State of São Paulo, a partner of Chinese Sinovac.

A real war on vaccines, which risks damaging the population.

Publicity

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With our correspondent in São Paulo

,

Martin Bernard

The

CoronaVac

, company Sinovac and the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo, is currently the leading vaccine available in Brazil.

Reluctantly, the government placed an order for 46 million doses of what Jair Bolsonaro scornfully called the “ 

Chinese vaccine

 ” and took an option for another 54 million.

Outcry

São Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who is Jair Bolsonaro's great political rival, lobbied the Health Ministry: “ 

If you don't confirm this option before the end of the week, we could export these doses. to neighboring countries 

, ”he said at first.

Faced with the outcry caused by this threat, he finally changed his mind.

Shortage

But this real political battle worries the medical community, especially since it occurs in the midst of a shortage of vaccines in Brazil, and in the world.

The lack of political consensus risks disrupting a vaccination campaign that has already started late.

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To read:

Covid-19: lacking oxygen, Manaus sinks into health chaos

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  • Brazil

  • Jair Bolsonaro

  • Coronavirus

  • Health and medicine

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