Brazil´s President States No One Can Force Vaccination, Confirms He Will Not Take Vaccine

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – While the STF agreed almost unanimously that vaccination against Covid-19 should be compulsory, President Jair Bolsonaro stated that no one can be forced to be immunized.

“No one can force anyone to take the vaccine. If someone doesn’t want to be treated, that’s it, if I don’t want chemotherapy and I’ll die, that’s my problem,” he said.

In a ceremony in support of the productive sector, the President argued that the responsibility lies with the individual if he/she becomes infected in the future for not having been vaccinated, mentioning that in the negotiations with Pfizer for the purchase of vaccines, there is no liability for any side effect.

“I ask God to guide me, as I have always done, to make decisions, not to be led by some mood, as is happening now. Passing by, I asked the Federal Police what was being voted in the Supreme Court,” said Bolsonaro, adding that he would get more information on the matter.

Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly stated that he will not be vaccinated, challenged the need to be immunized, recalling that he already had the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “The vaccine, once certified by ANVISA, will be extended to all who want to take it. I will not take it.”

However, the President said that the vaccine will be available to the population. “Some say I’m setting a very bad example. The imbecile, the idiot who is setting a bad example, I already had the virus, I already have antibodies, why take it again?” he asked.

He also advocated the theory of individual freedom to justify rejection of vaccination, adding that there is no dictatorship in force in the country.

The STF decided on Thursday, December 17th, that the vaccine is compulsory, but that it can not be forcibly imposed. Instead, according to Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, restrictive measures and other sanctions can be imposed on those who refuse to be vaccinated.