Paraguay will be first country to receive anti-Covid vaccine donation from Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The initiative announced through an executive decree published last Monday by the Brazilian Presidency, foresees the initial donation of 10 million anti-viral vaccines to developing nations as “the first step in a broad cooperation process.”

“Since the novel coronavirus emerged, Brazilian health diplomacy has prioritized the promotion of international solidarity initiatives, with the aim of reaching solutions to the health crisis affecting all countries,” reads a joint statement released Wednesday by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health.

The note adds that Brazil, one of the most affected countries by the pandemic and whose government has been harshly criticized for its denialism towards the severity of the crisis, wants to “contribute to the goal of saving lives and take another step towards overcoming the pandemic.”

According to the statement, the bilateral initiative also strengthens ties between Brazil and Paraguay, countries engaged in a broad exchange on joint actions to address the crisis and which actively participate in cooperation mechanisms in the area of health, such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

“Brazil reaffirms its commitment to the effective promotion of universal and equitable access to vaccines, medicines and other necessary inputs in the fight against the pandemic, and reiterates its solidarity with all countries affected by Covid,” the statement concludes.

Minister of Health Marcelo Queiroga said at a press conference last Monday that the vaccines donated by Brazil will be delivered through the Covax Facility initiative, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), and that after an initial batch of 10 million doses, the donation may be increased by another 30 million.