Brazil temporarily scraps import taxes for three vaccines

The Brazilian government temporarily removed  the import taxes for the vaccines against HPV, hepatitis A, and the triple TdaP (against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, for adults). The decision affects a limited number of doses and is meant to address a shortage in supplies facing the country.

TdaP and the HPV vaccine are to remain at a zero rate for a year and a total of 5 million and 6 million doses, respectively.

The vaccine against hepatitis A, in turn, will be traded at a zero rate for six months, starting on April 2, 2018, covering 2.25 million doses.

The measure was approved by the Chamber of External Trade (Camex), an agency linked to the presidency and charged with the adoption of policies on foreign trade.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira