The President of Brazil announces to the United Nations that he rejects the certificate of the vaccine
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that his government opposes health certification but supports vaccination campaigns against COVID-19.
"We support vaccination efforts," said Bolsonaro, who has often been criticized for his handling of the pandemic in Brazil, where the epidemic has killed more than 590,000 people.
"But my administration has not supported a vaccine, a health certificate, or any other commitment associated with a vaccine," he added in his speech in New York.
Bolsonaro was the first leader to speak at the assembly, with Brazil as the first to speak, after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meetings with a speech.
Bolsonaro said he would be "the last Brazilian" to receive the vaccine, but assured delegates that Brazil's vaccination program was advancing at a rapid pace.
He explained that his government has distributed more than 260 million doses and more than 140 million Brazilians, or nearly 90% of adults, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
He added that 80% of the indigenous Brazilian population received the vaccine completely.
"By November this year, all citizens who chose to receive the vaccine in Brazil will have it," he said.
The far-right leader has sparked controversy by promoting unproven treatments against COVID-19.
He himself contracted the infection last year.
"Since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have supported the professional independence of the doctor in the search for early treatment measures in line with the recommendations issued by the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine," he told delegates.
Bolsonaro has defied rules that only allow vaccinators to participate in the assembly.
Bolsonaro does not abide by the conditions imposed by New York to limit the spread of the virus, including presenting a vaccination certificate to enter many places, including restaurants.
On Sundays, eat a slice of pizza on an outside patio at dinnertime on a Sunday evening.
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