RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello said Wednesday, March 11th, that the country is experiencing the “most serious form of covid-19,” referring to the new P.1 virus strain in circulation, and admitted that acting “directly and effectively” to fight the spread of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus is urgent.
In a speech during the signing ceremony of laws that expand the federal government’s capacity to purchase vaccines, the Minister guaranteed that the measures will simplify negotiations with laboratories.
“These Provisional Measures are essential for us to be authorized to enter into agreements with laboratories. The moment the bill passed through Congress, we invited Pfizer and Janssen to negotiate. This all results in vaccines, results in peace of mind for the people,” he stated, stressing the importance of having domestic production of immunizers.
In addition to vaccination, the Minister stressed the need for ICU beds and a support health network. “In 2021 we are faced with a new strain of the virus, the P1. It infects three to six times faster. This is what we are observing in several places in Brazil. We have outbreaks that need to be treated directly and effectively,” he concluded.