China export delay halts Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine production in Brazil
- Sao Paulo governor blames ‘diplomatic ill will’ as raw materials shipment is held up by Chinese authorities
- Brazilian manufacturer to deliver 1 million doses on Friday before shutting down production
China-made coronavirus vaccine at heart of political showdown in Brazil
Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech sends the vaccine’s active ingredient to Brazil for the Butantan biomedical centre, which is backed by the Sao Paulo state government, to fill and finish in vaccine vials.
Butantan director Dimas Covas told a press briefing on Wednesday that China would not clear a cargo of active ingredients for shipment to Brazil by May 13, as previously expected. He said there was no clear date for when Chinese authorities would approve the shipment.
Doria said Butantan would deliver 1 million doses to the health ministry on Friday and after that would need to halt production due to the lack of raw materials.
President Jair Bolsonaro’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The Chinese embassy in Brasilia declined to comment.
The right-wing Bolsonaro has periodically criticised China since campaigning for the presidency in 2018, using rhetoric similar to former US president Donald Trump.
Brazilian lawmakers have strongly criticised Bolsonaro’s administration for its handling of the pandemic, including alleged missteps in acquiring vaccines. A special Senate committee is conducting a probe into the pandemic response.
Critics say missteps include failing to secure vaccines from Pfizer earlier. Sources said former health minister Eduardo Pazuello, who stepped down in March, saw no need for the Pfizer vaccine because he believed Brazil could rely on Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines alone. Pazuello and the health ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
