Voice of America
22 Jan 2021, 13:35 GMT+10
Brazil expects to receive 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Friday in its buildup to launching a mass immunization program.
The vaccine is due to arrive a day after President Jair Bolsonaro fended off criticism by health officials over whether Brazil has enough vaccine to begin its nationwide immunization program.
Bolsonaro, who has long played down the impact of the coronavirus, even after he contracted the disease, said the government will provide the vaccine to all Brazilians free of charge.
However, health officials say the country's 6 million doses of the China-based Coronavac vaccine and nearly 5 million doses of the vaccine on order is well below what is needed to immunize Brazilians.
A second wave of coronavirus cases and concern over the government's ability to secure more vaccine prompted the new mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, to tweet Thursday that it will not be possible to host annual carnival celebrations in July.
Brazil has more than 8.6 million coronavirus cases and 212,831 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Brazil's COVID-19 mortality total is second only to the United States' 406,417 deaths as of Thursday evening.
Get a daily dose of Brazil Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Brazil Sun.
More InformationLONDON/NEW YORK CITY: American grocery bills may be headed higher as coffee and orange juice prices face upward pressure from new tariffs...
(Photo credit: Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images) The Columbus Crew extended defender Andres Herrera's loan from Argentina's...
After much back-and-forth over several months, President Donald Trump announced on July 9, 2025, that he planned to levy a 50% tariff...
(250714) -- NEW JERSEY, July 14, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Cole Palmer (L) of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring with teammate Joao Pedro during...
Following its latest expansion, the BRICS has embarked on a new path towards even greater internal cooperation and global influence....
(250713) -- BUENOS AIRES, July 13, 2025 (Xinhua) -- People enjoy foods at a food festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 12, 2025....
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high this week, buoyed by growing institutional interest and a wave of pro-crypto...
SHENZHEN, China: As global chip competition intensifies, Huawei Technologies is exploring new markets in the Middle East and Southeast...
LONDON/NEW YORK CITY: American grocery bills may be headed higher as coffee and orange juice prices face upward pressure from new tariffs...
BATTLE CREEK, Michigan: In a major consolidation of iconic food brands, WK Kellogg has agreed to be acquired by the owner of Ferrero...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Filmmaker Peter Jackson's lifelong fascination with the extinct giant New Zealand flightless bird called the moa...
NEW DELHI, India: India has submitted a revised proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva to implement retaliatory tariffs...