COVID-19: donation of vaccines to other countries authorized

Brazil´s National Congress authorized the government to donate immunizations against COVID-19 to other countries affected by the pandemic, as part of humanitarian cooperation. The authorization is provided for in Law 14,343, published today (May 20) in the Official Gazette.

According to the new law, the Health Ministry shall intermediate the donations, as well as define the quantity and recipients of the donated immunizers, provided that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been consulted”.

The expenses incurred in the transportation of the donated immunizers will be borne by the recipient country, or by budget allocations from the Brazilian government or other collaborators.

According to the new legislation, the donation can be carried out provided that interest and the consent of receiving the immunizing agent are expressed by the beneficiary country.