Distribution of vaccine AstraZeneca slated to start Saturday
The two million doses of AstraZeneca against COVID-19 that should arrive from India on Friday (Jan. 22) will be distributed across Brazilian states on Saturday afternoon (23). According to President Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian Air Force has been made available to speed up the distribution of the vaccine throughout the country.
“You may rest assured that the Air Forces are at the service of Brazil and this vaccine; if it arrives tonight, it will be arriving at their destinations tomorrow,” Bolsonaro said.
Bolsonaro talked to journalists while leaving the Alvorada presidential residence after breakfast with Congress members. He restated that vaccination will not be mandatory and recommended that people read the studies on the vaccines.
“It must be voluntary, after all there’s nothing scientifically proved with this vaccine as yet. And I urge people to read the contract with the company and learn where the studies have reached, why a conclusion hasn’t been reached saying the vaccine is perfectly efficient. By all accounts, according to Anvisa, it will help prevent serious cases from happening in Brazil, for those who are vaccinated,” he stated.
AstraZeneca
The vaccines should arrive in Brazil late on Friday afternoon. The shipment from India will be taken on a commercial Emirates flight at the airport of Guarulhos, in São Paulo, to Rio de Janeiro.
As soon as they reach the institution, Fiocruz declared, the vaccines will be checked for quality and safety, in addition to labeling with information in Portuguese. The process is estimated to be concluded by Saturday morning (23) by teams trained in good production practices. The vaccines should also be released for distribution in the afternoon.
