BRASILIA, Jan 6 (Reuters) – President Jair Bolsonaro criticized Brazil’s wellbeing regulator Anvisa on Thursday for authorizing the vaccination of young children aged 5 to 11 yrs against COVID-19, just one day just after his wellness minister unveiled options to inoculate that age team.

Bolsonaro, who has bragged about not staying vaccinated himselfand has constantly solid question on the efficacy and security of coronavirus vaccines , reported in a radio interview that he had not heard of small children dying of COVID-19 and recurring that his daughter Laura, 11, would not be vaccinated.

Bolsonaro mentioned vaccines could have aspect effects on young children, but gave no evidence. Anvisa and overall health regulators all around the planet have discovered that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and sound for individuals from age 5 and up.

“Are you likely to vaccinate your boy or girl when the risk of dying is just about zero? What is behind this? What are the interests of vaccine maniacs?” Bolsonaro said.

The Ministry of Wellbeing announced on Wednesday that it experienced purchased 20 million pediatric vaccines made by Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and voluntary vaccination of young children 5 to 11 many years outdated would start by the finish of the month. study more

In a social media broadcast later on on Thursday, Bolsonaro stressed that the vaccination was not obligatory. “No town mayor or point out governor can stop a baby from heading to college for not being vaccinated,” he stated.

Bolsonaro warned that Pfizer has not assumed obligation for any side consequences the vaccine could have in young children, and claimed moms and dads ought to quickly seek a medical professional if their youngster developed upper body pains or shortage of breath.

The Brazilian Modern society of Pediatrics turned down that perspective and claimed in a statement that Brazilians really should concern the virus and not the vaccines, which can preserve lives at any age.

Anvisa accepted the Pfizer vaccine for children on Dec. 16, drawing heated criticism from people opposed to vaccines and the president, who suggested that little ones only be vaccinated with a doctor’s prescription.

The ministry dropped the idea as impractical. Demanding a penned prescription would discourage vaccination at a time when the far more…