This content was published on 07 May 2021 – 22:25
Brasilia, May 7 (EFE) .- Brazil, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, changed position by announcing this Friday its support for the negotiations to release patents for covid-19 vaccines, promoted by USA.
The Brazilian government said in a statement that it received “with satisfaction the willingness” of the United States to negotiate, within the World Trade Organization (WTO), a “multilateral solution” in order to “increase the production and distribution of inputs. and vaccines “globally.
The new position of the Executive of President Jair Bolsonaro, leader of a Brazilian extreme right-wing denier, was disclosed in a joint note by the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Health, and Science and Technology.
On the day before, the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Carlos França, affirmed in a public hearing in the Senate that the Government was against the suspension of the patents of the covid-19 vaccine, but anticipated that they could change their opinion in case that out of the interest of the country.
In the same vein, the head of the Health portfolio, Marcelo Queiroga, declared in a parliamentary commission investigating possible “omissions” of the Bolsonaro government in the fight against the health crisis.
However, the South American country now modifies its position, the same day that its foreign minister held a virtual meeting with the representative of US Foreign Trade, Katherine Tai.
“Brazil shares the objective expressed by” Tai of “providing safe and efficient vaccines to the greatest number of people possible in the shortest time interval possible,” the Government pointed out.
“Brazil will discuss, in greater depth, with the United States its new position and its practical implications to facilitate broad and urgent access to vaccines and drugs to combat covid-19,” the statement added.
However, the Government stressed that, “in any scenario”, it will be “essential” to have “the commitment, cooperation and association” of the vaccine manufacturers with the aim of “making their production viable in Brazil and in other countries. Developing”.
In this context, he informed that he will consult “with all his international partners, as well as with the” private sector “, to” develop the necessary multilateral understandings for a rapid and safe production and distribution of vaccines. “
Brazil accumulates about 420,000 deaths associated with covid-19, with 2,165 only in the last day, and more than 15 million infected since the beginning of the health crisis, about fourteen months ago, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
As in other countries in the world, the vaccination campaign is progressing at a slow pace in the Latin American giant, which suffers from a lack of doses and where only 8% of the population have received the complete immunization schedule. EFE
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