Brazil: First positive samples of coronavirus vaccination

After a second catastrophic wave, Brazil, which has recorded more than half a million deaths due to Covid-19, has been experiencing a slight improvement in the epidemiological situation for a few weeks now, which experts attribute to the acceleration of the vaccination campaign.

The average daily death toll in the country of 212 million people rose to 1,252 last week, compared with more than 3,000 in early April, at the peak of the second wave.

The average number of daily cases is less than 43,000, after exceeding 77,000 at the end of June.

“We are not in a satisfactory situation yet: we have a very high number of new cases and deaths,” epidemiologist Ethel Masiel of Espirito Santo University (UFES) told AFP. “However, in the age groups that are fully vaccinated, we record a significant improvement in the morbidity and mortality rates,” she noted.

The vaccination campaign started in January with ‘priority’ groups, such as nurses and the elderly, but was often delayed due to lack of doses.

In June, the country finally managed to stabilize vaccine deliveries and distribution. On average, more than one million doses are given daily, according to official figures.

By mid-July, 40% of the population has received a single dose and 15% are fully vaccinated. These numbers are expected to increase rapidly in the coming months.

Rio de Janeiro, one of the most populous cities in the world, expects to have vaccinated all residents over the age of 12 by the end of November.

The vaccine “is moving at a slower pace than we would like, but it is starting to show clear results,” said Mauro Sanchez, an epidemiologist at the University of Brasilia (UnB).

Brazil: First thoughts for the return of the 2022 carnival

Brazil has recorded more than 540,000 deaths due to Covid, of which more than 340,000 in 2021.

In its latest epidemiological update, the Fondation Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) Institute confirms the improvement in case and death rates, with a downward trend for at least three weeks.

And for the first time since December, none of Brazil’s 27 states has more than 90% occupancy rates in intensive care units.

However, the circulation of the virus is not under control and experts warn of the risk of spreading the variant Delta strain, which was originally identified in India and is considered highly contagious. So far, 27 cases have been identified by health authorities.

Some states have also reduced the interval between the first and second doses of certain vaccines in order to achieve complete immunity.

“The only scenario that can change ‘the trend of improvement is’ the emergence of new strains or a Delta strain modification of transmission levels in Brazil,'” Massiel said.

Contrary to the attitude of President Zaire Bolsonaro, who has not stopped degrading the pandemic and has not been vaccinated – after he contracted Covid with mild symptoms – Brazilians follow the vaccination schedule.

According to a poll by the DataFolha Institute, 94% of Brazilians have already been vaccinated or intend to get vaccinated, a record percentage since the pandemic began.

According to experts, in order to be able to fully restart physical activity, and especially to reopen schools with all students, Brazil must maintain, and even increase, the rate of vaccinations.

The country could also start thinking about returning to big popular events, such as the end-of-year festivities or the Rio Carnival in February 2022.

“The return to normalcy is not yet on the horizon. “We need to cover about 80% of the population, combined with a very low level of virus circulation in the community, to start giving permission for gatherings or celebrations like the ones we are used to,” Sanchez said.