BioNTech/Pfizer Vaccine Would Frustrate Brazilians, Says Health Ministry

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Health reported that the number of doses against Covid-19 offered by Pfizer pharmaceuticals to Brazil would be insufficient to meet the country’s demand. The initial provision by the laboratory, according to the portfolio, comprises two first batches of 500,000 doses and a third batch of one million doses, totaling two million doses.

“For Brazil, it would frustrate all Brazilians, because with few doses we would have to choose who would be administered the vaccine, in a country with over 212 million inhabitants,” the Ministry said in a note. The Brazilian government also mentions abusive clauses established by the pharmaceutical company.

“In addition to the frustration that Pfizer would cause Brazilians, the unfair and abusive clauses established by the laboratory have created a negotiation and purchase obstacle,” pointed out the document.

The preliminary contract terms mentioned by the portfolio provide, for instance, that Brazil should waive the sovereignty of its assets abroad in favor of Pfizer as a payment guarantee, as well as set up a guarantee fund with amounts deposited in a foreign bank account.

Other requirements include that, should there be a delay in the delivery of doses, there should be no penalty; and that a consent form should be signed for any collateral effects of the vaccine, exempting the laboratory from any civil liability for severe side effects resulting from the use of the vaccine, for an indefinite period.

“At no time did the federal government, through the Ministry of Health, close its doors to Pfizer. In all negotiations, we expect a different positioning from the laboratory, that includes a viable and satisfactory delivery, complying with the strategies of the National Plan of Vaccination Operation against Covid-19, a market value price and a fair legal implementation that serves both parties”, concluded the note.

Doses

According to the portfolio’s balance, Brazil has purchased 46 million doses of the Butantan Institute vaccine in partnership with the Sinovac pharmaceutical, with an option to purchase an additional 54 million. The country has also received two million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India, with the option of importing more doses, as well as a planned production of 100.4 million doses in the first semester and 110 million doses in the second semester by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz).

According to the Ministry, the purchase of 42.5 million doses from the Covax Facility, coordinated by the World Health Organization is also possible.