Although the number of people overdue for a second dose has dropped by 10% in the past week, the ministry indicated that it is “concerned” with the population that should have a full vaccination schedule, not for unknown reasons.
Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga recalled in a statement that one of the reasons the pandemic is on a downward trend since last June is the development of a vaccination campaign that began on January 17.
“Despite the calmer environment (…) now is not the time to relax. We all know that only with the second dose we guarantee maximum protection against disease, ”the official warned.
With more than 605,000 deaths and 21.7 million people infected with COVID-19, Brazil is one of the three countries most affected by the pandemic, along with the United States and India.
According to official figures, so far 72% of the 213 million Brazilians have received their first dose, and 52% have already completed the full immunization schedule.
Despite the large number of people who received the second dose late, the data show good vaccine intake among Brazilians, despite the denial of President Jair Bolsonaro, who denies the seriousness of the virus, criticizes social distance and doubts the effectiveness of masks and the immunizing agents themselves.
The administration of Bolsonaro’s government over the pandemic was investigated by a parliamentary commission of inquiry in the Senate, which in its final report, still awaiting confirmation, accused the head of state of nine crimes, including “crimes against humanity.”
