Uruguayan Court stops Covid vaccinations of children under 13

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Last Friday, Uruguayan Judge Alejandro Recarey requested in-depth information about the Covid vaccines from the Uruguayan authorities and Pfizer as part of an Amparo case against childhood vaccinations.

After initial diversionary maneuvers by the Uruguayan government, the Department of Public Health shared this morning, as promised, Secretary Daniel Salinas’ responses to Judge Recarey’s questions about the Covid-19 vaccine. The Secretary submitted his answers in writing.

However, the Health Ministry’s responses could not convince the Judge. He has suspended Covid vaccinations of children under 13 in Uruguay. The Ministry of Health is giving in – for now.

In a message published on Twitter, it invokes the well-known claim that vaccinations are effective and safe – and that this is based on scientific evidence. However, precisely these findings could apparently not be convincingly presented.

The Uruguayan Ministry of Health (MSP) has announced that it will appeal the judge’s decision.

AHORA || Comunicado urgente || Tema: Vacunación menores de 13 años, MSP acata fallo. @DrDanielSalinas @JoseSatdjian pic.twitter.com/DjTEi6He5c

— Ministerio de Salud Pública – Uruguay (@MSPUruguay) July 7, 2022

The Ministry’s announcement translated into English:

In light of the decision of Deputy Judge Alejandro Recarey to suspend vaccination against Covid-19 in the population under thirteen (13) years of age, the Ministry of Health decides to abide by the judge’s decision and appeal. Therefore, as of today, vaccines for this population will no longer be available until further notice. The National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19 will continue, and individuals over thirteen (13) years of age will be able to receive the vaccine.

In this regard, the Ministry of Public Health reiterates that all decisions regarding vaccination under the National Coronavirus Plan are based on the available scientific evidence, which the expertise, experience have supported, and background of the members of the National Advisory Commission on Vaccines, the Ad Hoc Group, the GACH Group, and the scientific community, who have determined that the vaccines administered are safe and effective based on numerous studies.

Finally, given the current epidemiological scenario, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of maintaining non-pharmacological care, especially among populations that do not receive vaccines or have not completed their vaccination status.