After Butantan's announcement, Marcos Pontes says he has asked Bolsonaro's government for a vaccine test

According to the Minister of Science, a request was made to Anvisa, but the announcement has nothing to do with Butanvac, from São Paulo's government

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Ricardo Della Coletta Natália Cancian
Brasília

Hours after the Butantan Institute, linked to São Paulo's state government, announced that it is developing a national vaccine against Covid-19, Minister Marcos Pontes (Science and Technology) stated that an order has already been placed with Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) for clinical trials with an immunizer funded by the federal government.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said that the protocol at Avisa was done on Thursday (25), at 1:23 pm. At a press conference, Pontes went so far as to show the protocol printed sheet and the department's press material also had a copy of it attached.

Governor of the State of São Paulo, João Doria holds box of Butanvac, a Covid-19 vaccine announced by the brazilian Butantan Institute
Governor of the State of São Paulo, João Doria holds box of Butanvac, a Covid-19 vaccine announced by the brazilian Butantan Institute - Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo

With this, Bolsonaro's government tries to guarantee the title of the sponsor of the "first Brazilian vaccine", in one more chapter of the political battle fought against the governor of São Paulo, João Doria (PSDB).

Pontes said that there are "countless partnerships" ongoing, but that they will only be announced once the respective agreements are signed: "The joint announcements regarding the partnerships will be made at the appropriate time by each one of the institutions in the consortium".