BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday evening that he would not take the coronavirus vaccine, citing recent statements and doubts about coronavirus vaccination programs.
In live broadcast statements on multiple social media platforms, the right-wing leader added that Congress is unlikely to be vaccinated by the Brazilian people.
Brazil has the second-highest number of coronavirus deaths, and despite being infected with the virus in July, Bolsonaro has been battling the epidemic for months.
“I tell you, I am not going to take it. That is my right, “he said.
Bolsonaro also questioned the effectiveness of wearing masks in broadcasts, which means there is no less conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of masks in preventing virus transmission.
The president has repeatedly said that when the coronavirus vaccine becomes widely available, the people of Brazil will not need to be vaccinated. In October, he joked on Twitter that vaccination was only necessary for his dog.
Reported by Ricardo Brito; Written by Gram Slater; Edited by Ana Nicolas da Costa
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