Import of Doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford Vaccine from India - Joint Press Release by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health

The Brazilian government informs that preparations to bring the two million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 from India are already underway. The Azul airlines flight will be anticipated and will leave Viracopos Airport, in Campinas (SP), at 1.00 pm this Thursday (14t) for Recife (PE), from where it will depart directly to the Indian city of Mumbai. The vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Brazil next Saturday (16) at Galeão Airport (RJ).

The flight will cover about 15 thousand kilometers to India. The Airbus A330neo is the largest aircraft in the company's fleet and will be equipped with specific containers to ensure temperature control of the doses in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

The doses were produced by the Indian laboratory Serum and purchased by the Ministry of Health. The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine will be distributed to the Brazilian states within five days after the approval of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Immunization all over the country will be carried out simultaneously and free of charge.

The Ministry of Health has the support of Azul airlines and the Brazilian Association of Airline Companies, which includes Gol, Latam and Voepass airlines, for the logistics of free transportation of the Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in New Delhi, has made arrangements with the Indian authorities and the Serum Institute of India, following up on a letter from President Jair Bolsonaro to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dated January 8, and is providing assistance regarding international travel issues and procedures. The Ministry of Defense will contribute to the security of land transportation to the states.

The successful acquisition of doses from the British parent company and the Indian vaccine producer demonstrates the excellent state of Brazil-United Kingdom and Brazil-India relations and the strength of the strategic relationships we have with both countries.

Brazil has recently maintained frequent contacts with India and the United Kingdom, at a high level, guided by a spirit of solidarity and cooperation in facing the pandemic of COVID-19.