Brazilian president rejects Chinese coronavirus vaccine

Smart leader

"Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has overruled his own health minister, rejecting the announced purchase of 46 million doses of CoronaVac, a potential vaccine against Covid-19 being tested in Sao Paulo state.

Health minister Eduardo Pazuello announced the purchase on Tuesday alongside Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, a foe of Mr Bolsonaro whose state government is participating in the vaccine’s development.

The cost of the acquisition was estimated at two billion Brazilian reals (£272 million).

“The Brazilian people will not be anyone’s guinea pig,” Mr Bolsonaro said on his social media channels, adding the shot made by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac is yet to finish its testing phase – which is true of all potential vaccines.

“My decision is to not purchase such a vaccine,” he said"

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