São Paulo governor says he will vaccinate the state’s entire adult population by October 31

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo governor João Doria (PSDB) on Wednesday, June 2, said that the state’s whole adult population will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by October 31.

Two days ago he had said that the deadline was the end of the year, but he managed to advance the immunization. So far, just over 17.5 million doses have been administered. Considering only people who have been administered both doses, i.e., who are effectively protected, 5.7 million have already been immunized.

“São Paulo will complete the vaccination of the entire population by October 31. It was originally scheduled to end on December 31, but we have closed the state planning and the state’s entire population will be vaccinated. People over 18 will be immunized,” said the governor in a press conference at the Bandeirantes Palace.

Doria further said that an extra batch of 30 million vaccine doses, purchased by the São Paulo government from the Sinovac laboratory, will be delivered in September and can be used in case there is any delay in the delivery of vaccines by the federal government.

According to the State Immunization Program coordinator Regiane de Paula, the schedule was prepared taking into account the Coronavac, Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine delivery projections, foreseen by the Ministry of Health. Adjustments may be required, considering the second dose, which can be administered in November.

Also according to Regiane de Paula, the vaccination of children and teenagers has not yet been authorized by the Ministry of Health, but once approved, the state will update the calendar.

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) has approved the Pfizer vaccine in Brazil for adolescents over 16 years of age. Two weeks ago, the laboratory requested that children and adolescents aged between 12 and 15 also be included, as is the case in the United States. A decision should be made in up to 30 days.

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