Without Agreement Signed with Oxford, Bolsonaro Ironizes Chinese Vaccine against Covid-19

China's product is being tested in SP in a partnership with the Doria government, an opponent of the president

Brasília

Even without a signed a contract with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, President Jair Bolsonaro (without a party) said on Thursday (30) that 100 million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 will arrive in Brazil. He also mocked the product produced by China, which is being tested in partnership with the João Doria government (PSDB-SP), his political opponent.

"There is a lot of talk about the Covid-19 vaccine. We joined that consortium there in Oxford. Apparently, it will work, and 100 million units will arrive for us. It is not from that other country, okay, guys? Oxford there. Who hasn't contracted the virus until then ... I don't need to take it because I'm already safe ", said Bolsonaro this evening in an internet broadcast, the first since he said he was cured of the new coronavirus.

Jair Bolsonaro in Piaui. (Credito:Yala Sena/Folhapress) - Yala Sena/Folhapress

The Ministry of Health announced a partnership with the University of Oxford on June 27. However, the agreement has not yet been signed. According to Fiocruz, Brazil expects to sign the deal in August.

Last week, the governor of São Paulo, João Doria, Bolsonaro's virtual opponent in the 2022 presidential election, announced the start of testing the vaccination produced by Chinese Sinovac. In the presentation, the governor sought to highlight the commercial partnerships that the state has with China. This country has already been the target of criticism by members of the most ideological wing of the government, which defends Brazil's alignment with the United States.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

Read the article in the original language