Brazil participates in world council for a vaccine against Covid-19

Minister Eduardo Pazuello stated that the country will be alongside initiatives that promote fair access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines

The initiative's objective is to accelerate the end of the crisis, supporting the development and distribution of tests, treatments and vaccines - Photo: Agência Brasil

Sep 17, The acting Minister of Health, Eduardo Pazuello, participated this Thursday (10th) in the inauguration of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator council, a global coalition launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), together with the European Commission, made up of governments from 28 countries, to accelerate the end of the crisis caused by the new coronavirus. The meeting was by videoconference.

The objective of the ACT-Accelerator, which brings together states, health organizations, companies and civil society, is to join forces to accelerate the end of the crisis, supporting the development and distribution of tests, treatments and vaccines. With these measures, the expectation is to restore full global social and economic activity in the short term and facilitate control of the coronavirus in the medium term.

Brazil is among the countries with relevant market size in the international context. In the same category are also Mexico, China, United States, India, Indonesia, Russia and South Korea.

"I can safely say that Brazil will always be on the side of any initiative that promotes fair and equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines and treatments and the strengthening of health systems," said Eduardo Pazuello.

The country joined the acceleration program in June. In the opinion of the interim minister, the initiative is in line with the Ministry of Health's position on tackling the virus. “We couldn't have decided otherwise. Cooperation and solidarity are principles enshrined in our Constitution, and the ACT-Accelerator initiative promotes these principles, ”he said.

Together with other countries, Brazil is studying the possibility of joining the Covax Facility, a mechanism to promote global access to the vaccine against Covid-19, created within the framework of the ACT-Accelerator. “If we opt for membership, Brazil could be the biggest contributor. I would like to conclude by making available to all of Brazil's robust vaccine production capacity and experience in offering universal access to health services, including vaccination to the entire Brazilian population, ”said Pazuello during the videoconference.

The Facilitation Council must meet at least once every quarter, with the possibility of further deliberations. The videoconference was attended by the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterrez, the director-general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom, as well as presidents, first ministers and ministers of the other member states of the organ.