Brazilian President Jair Bolosonaro snubs Chinese COVID-19 vaccine procurement plans

Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello’s attempts to acquire a potential Chinese COVID-19 vaccine were overruled by President Jair Bolosonaro who stated that Brazil's people will t be anyone's 'guinea pigs'. Pazuello is reported to have anunced purchase of roughly 46 million doses of CoronaVac at estimated cost of $360 million on Tuesday, October 20 but purchase was nullified by Bolosonaro who stated that potential vaccine was still in testing phase.

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Bolosonaro unwilling to gamble of potential COVID-19 vaccine

During COVID-19 pandemic, many countries like US and Cana have alrey invested millions in potential COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to build up a stockpile in event that drugs prove effective; se investments are usually n-refundable even if vaccine fails. As per reports, Brazilian Health Minister during anuncement was accompanied by Sao Paulos Goverr Joo Doria who is a vocal opponent of Bolosonaro.

Bolosonaro and Doris, goverr of one of Brazil’s most populous regions, have clashed when it comes to tackling COVID-19 restrictions. As per reports, Dori has decided to take vice of health experts and stock up on potential vaccines while Bolosonaro has stated that potential ecomic fallout may kill more Brazilians than disease.

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Joo Doria initially supported Bolosonaro in 2018 elections but since election, he has distanced himself from Brazilian President and is also being considered as a possible challenger to Bolosonaro in 2022 elections. As per John Hopkins Coronavirus resource centre, Brazil has reported over 5 million positive COVID-19 cases and has a death toll of just over 150,000. Brazil currently has third-highest number of COVID-19 cases in world.

COVID-19 pandemic which saw its first outbreak in a wet market in Wuhan, China last year has w spre all across world. virus, named COVID-19 by World Health Organisation, has infected over 40 million people worldwide with global death toll crossing 1,100,000. US has reported more than 8 million positive COVID-19 cases and a death toll of over 226,000.

(With AP inputs, Im AP)

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