The Brazilian government’s decision to introduce an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine into the country’s National Immunization Program for children between six months and five years old has sparked considerable controversy. The new policy has been approved by the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and may soon require at least three vaccine doses for young children.
The proposal also includes mandatory vaccinations at schools. Students who do not participate in the school vaccination program will be reported to Brazilian authorities, and their parents or guardians will need to provide them with information to the health unit. The Brazilian government also claims that the new policy is aligned with WHO recommendations, but this seems not entirely accurate.
There are serious concerns about imposing vaccine side effects on people at minimal risk of severe COVID-19. The decision to seek to vaccinate small children as young as six months is not supported by scientific evidence. The benefits to children of receiving this vaccine is “virtually zero,” whereas the already-known risk of serious harms is “not negligible.”
Many experts view the decision as political, not medical. There are serious risks attached to mandating such vaccines, particularly on children and pregnant women. Therefore, the decision should be approached with caution and scientific evidence in mind.