The Brazilian Ministry of Health announced on Thursday, January 14, that preparations were already underway to import two million vials of COVID-19 vaccines from India with a special flight. The Oxford-AstraZeneca-developed Covishield vaccine produced by Pune-based Serum Institute of India is set to arrive at Galiao Airport in Brazil by Saturday.
“The Ministry of External Affairs, through the Embassy in New Delhi, has made arrangements with the Indian authorities and the Serum Institute of India, after a letter from President Jair Bolsonaro, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dated January 8, and providing Assistance regarding international travel issues and procedures. The defense ministry will contribute to the security of land transport to the states, ”the ministry said.
The statement said that it will be distributed to all states within five days by Brazil’s National Health Monitoring Agency (ENVISA) and is free.
Talking about the strong relationship with India, the ministry said, “The successful acquisition of the British parent company and the Indian vaccine manufacturer’s supplements reflects the excellent state of Brazil-United Kingdom and Brazil-India relations and the strength of our strategic relationship.”