Sao Paulo:
Brazil’s well being regulator authorized the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Friday for use in children aged 12 and up, even though they will most likely have to wait months in line for older age groups to be vaccinated very first.
Hit challenging by the pandemic, Brazil joins nations which includes the United States, Uruguay and Chile in extending vaccination to minors.
However, provide concerns imply the move is primarily symbolic for now.
Brazil’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, which started in January, has been hit by shortages and delays.
Around 11 % of the country’s 212 million people today have been completely vaccinated so far.
Cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have only not too long ago completed vaccinating priority groups such as well being workers and the elderly.
They are now vaccinating the basic population in descending order by age, and are at present immunizing people today in their 50s.
The well being regulator, Anvisa, stated the approval was based on research by Pfizer that “indicated the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness for this age group.”
In addition to the US pharmaceutical giant’s vaccine, created with German firm BioNTech, Brazil is at present employing the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and Chinese-created CoronaVac.
Regulators have also authorized the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but the government has not but reached a deal to obtain it.
Brazil has struggled to supply sufficient vaccine doses.
Far-suitable President Jair Bolsonaro faces criticism for refusing delivers of vaccines last year, which includes from Pfizer, and as an alternative pushing the ineffective medication chloroquine against Covid-19.
The pandemic has claimed more than 480,000 lives in Brazil, second only to the United States.
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