AZN AstraZeneca PLC

By Jeffrey T. Lewis

SAO PAULO--Brazil's federal government could begin its nationwide immunization program against Covid-19 by the end of February if vaccines are approved as expected, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello said Tuesday.

"It's very important that we follow all the steps," Mr. Pazuello told a meeting of governors in Brasilian. "When talking about health, we can't give up on effectiveness, safety and responsibility. When we provide a vaccine, we'll be responsible for it."

Brazil has an agreement with AstraZeneca Plc. to buy 260 million doses of its vaccine, and the ministry said Monday evening that it could sign a memorandum of understanding this week with Pfizer Inc. this week to buy 70 million doses of that company's vaccine. The country plans to receive another 42 million doses from the Covax initiative.

The minister's estimate of when the national vaccination program might begin is a month later than the Jan. 25 starting date announced Monday by Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria for his state's immunization program. Mr. Doria intends to use a vaccine developed by Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac that will be produced in his state, and has offered to supply the vaccine to the national health service.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who favors the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, rejected the offer by Mr. Doria, a potential rival of the president in the 2022 elections.

Mr. Pazuello nevertheless said Tuesday the Health Ministry will buy all vaccines that have been approved by regulatory agency Anvisa "if necessary."

Write to Jeffrey T. Lewis at jeffrey.lewis@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 08, 2020 13:54 ET (18:54 GMT)

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