Brazil Govt signs contract for the acquisition of Covid-19 vaccine for over 100 million doses
Minister of Health says Brazil needs to be united to fight the disease.
Jan 9, Sao Paulo: The Federal Government signed a contract, this Thursday (7), with the Butantan Institute for the incorporation of over 100 million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 to the National Immunization Program (PNI).
According to the Minister of Health, Eduardo Pazuello, the contract provides for the delivery of 46 million doses by April and another 54 million during the year. The minister reaffirmed that Brazil has 354 million doses of vaccines guaranteed for this year, 254 million doses by Fiocruz in partnership with AstraZeneca and another 100 million doses by Butantan in partnership with Sinovac.
In detailing the vaccination strategy against Covid-19, the Minister of Health said that the Government works tirelessly to combat Covid-19. According to him, Brazil needs to be united to overcome the disease.
“It is a war and we need to use all the weapons necessary to win. It is the moment that the country needs to be as united as possible. It is the moment that health cannot have flags, it cannot have left, ideology. We are talking about Brazilians, ”he said during a press conference at the Planalto Palace.
Pazuello pointed out that Brazil is the only country in Latin America with a large vaccine manufacturing park and has been investing in the two largest production lines for months, which are those of Fiocruz and Butantan.
"What works for us is what is manufactured in Brazil. If it is not manufactured in Brazil, the quantities will always be negligible if compared to the needs of Brazil," stated the minister. "Our big producers are going to produce together around 30 million a month, which is enough to carry out our immunization plan," he added.
Pazuello detailed that the Ministry of Health also negotiates with international laboratories, but explained that they have the capacity to supply a small number of doses and in the long term. Pazuello cited the laboratories Moderna, Pfizer and Jansen. The latter, for example, would deliver only 3 million doses starting in April.
Start of vaccination
Eduardo Pazuello presented three scenarios for the beginning of vaccination in Brazil. The first would be from January 20. The second, from January 20 to February 10. The third date, if there are mishaps in the registration of vaccines or in production, would be between February 10 and the beginning of March.
Regarding the syringes for the vaccine application against Covid-19, the Minister of Health said that there will be no shortage of this material.
Provisional Measure
The Government issued on Wednesday (6) Provisional Measure that deals with exceptional measures necessary for the implementation of vaccination against Covid-19. The measure authorizes the waiver of bidding for the direct and indirect Public Administration to enter into contracts and other similar instruments for the purchase of vaccines, supplies, goods and logistics services.
The text details that the purchase of vaccines and supplies may occur even before the health registration or the temporary authorization for emergency use.
“The Provisional Measure gives us the authorization to continue administrative measures to combat Covid-19, allows us to contract vaccines and other supplies even before its registration with the National Health Surveillance Agency ( Anvisa) was completed, something that was not allowed. I could not make any contracts that had not been previously incorporated into SUS to be able to buy ”, explained Pazuello.
The waiver of bidding also applies to the hiring of information and communication technology, in addition to training professionals and other goods and services.
The text also provides that in the bidding waivers, the occurrence of a public health emergency situation of national importance arising from the coronavirus and the need for the prompt attention to the public health emergency situation is presumed.
The standard states that the application of vaccines will only occur after temporary authorization for emergency use or registration granted by Anvisa.
It also notes that the health professional who administers the vaccine authorized by Anvisa for emergency and temporary use must inform the patient or the legal representative that the product is not yet registered with Anvisa and that it has been exceptionally authorized for use. In addition to informing the potential risks and benefits of the product.
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