Brazil senator says Bolsonaro never wanted Covid-19 vaccines, preferred herd immunity | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
July 08, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JULY 08, 2025
Brazil senator says Bolsonaro never wanted Covid-19 vaccines, preferred herd immunity

World+Biz

Reuters
22 May, 2021, 01:20 pm
Last modified: 22 May, 2021, 01:21 pm

Related News

  • BRICS tariff to be applied only if they adopt policies deemed 'anti-American': source
  • Brazil prosecutors sue Chinese carmaker BYD for violating labor rights
  • Brazil police foil bomb plot targeting packed Lady Gaga concert in Rio
  • Woman jailed for 14 years in Brazil after 'lipstick coup'
  • Brazil urging tougher emissions goals ahead of climate summit: sources

Brazil senator says Bolsonaro never wanted Covid-19 vaccines, preferred herd immunity

In an interview, Senator Renan Calheiros said it is too early to say if Bolsonaro had committed any criminal offense in his management of the public health crisis, and that more investigation is required

Reuters
22 May, 2021, 01:20 pm
Last modified: 22 May, 2021, 01:21 pm
A health worker prepares a dose of vaccine at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, April 5, 2021. Photo: Reuters
A health worker prepares a dose of vaccine at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, April 5, 2021. Photo: Reuters

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro never wanted to buy Covid-19 vaccines and originally bet on herd immunity beating the coronavirus, the senator leading the upper house's inquiry into the government's handling of the crisis said on Friday.

In an interview, Senator Renan Calheiros said it is too early to say if Bolsonaro had committed any criminal offense in his management of the public health crisis, and that more investigation is required.

"I think everything points in that direction," Calheiros said, regarding Bolsonaro's preference for herd immunity.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"The president first denied the disease, called it a flu, and then argued against social isolation and lockdown. Then he played down the use of masks and encouraged crowds to gather," Calheiros said.

"Why is that? Because of herd immunity, the natural immunity ... you have to encourage crowds and the spread of the virus," Calheiros added.

"This is why he never wanted a vaccine," Calheiros said of Bolsonaro, noting that the president was slow in spending billions of dollars given to him by Congress earlier in the pandemic to buy vaccines from overseas.

Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a given population achieves immunity to a disease, sometimes through widespread infection, thereby reducing the chances of person-to-person spread.

The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Calheiros is a veteran lawmaker and Bolsonaro critic. His report is expected to focus on the government's delays in securing vaccines, including the details of drawn-out negotiations with foreign drugmakers, and missteps in Amazonas where an infectious new variant arose.

Brazil has recorded nearly 16 million cases of Covid-19 and nearly 450,000 deaths, the second-highest death toll in the world after the United States. Bolsonaro has drawn criticism from detractors in Brazil due to his efforts to minimize the dangers of the coronavirus, shun masks and push unproven remedies.

Bolsonaro and his allies previously sought to have Calheiros removed from leading the inquiry, saying he could not be impartial because his son is the governor of Alagoas state and the inquiry would probe federal funding of state programs.

Brazil / Covid-19 vaccines / Bolsonaro / herd immunity

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • US President Donald Trump points a finger as he departs for Canada to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, June 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
    Trump sends letter to Yunus imposing 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products

MOST VIEWED

  • The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid
    Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander
  • Illustration: Ashrafun Naher Ananna/TBS Creative
    World’s largest container shipping companies
  • Representational image
    Dhaka gets relief as Trump pushes tariff deadline to 1 Aug
  • A quieter scene at Dhaka University’s central library on 29 June, with seats still unfilled—unlike earlier this year, when the space was overwhelmed by crowds of job aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Photo: Tahmidul Alam Jaeef
    No more long queues at DU Central Library. What changed?
  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/TBS Creative
    Inflation drops below 9% after 27 months
  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/TBS Creative
    Young population believe BNP to get 39% of votes, Jamaat 21%, NCP 16% in national polls: Sanem survey

Related News

  • BRICS tariff to be applied only if they adopt policies deemed 'anti-American': source
  • Brazil prosecutors sue Chinese carmaker BYD for violating labor rights
  • Brazil police foil bomb plot targeting packed Lady Gaga concert in Rio
  • Woman jailed for 14 years in Brazil after 'lipstick coup'
  • Brazil urging tougher emissions goals ahead of climate summit: sources

Features

Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

17h | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

1d | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

3d | Panorama
Contrary to long-held assumptions, Gen Z isn’t politically clueless — they understand both local and global politics well. Photo: TBS

A misreading of Gen Z’s ‘political disconnect’ set the stage for Hasina’s ouster

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Trump imposes 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products

Trump imposes 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products

1h | TBS World
Much of Iran’s Military Capacities Still Unutilized, General Warns Israel

Much of Iran’s Military Capacities Still Unutilized, General Warns Israel

14h | TBS World
How Trump's tariff chaos could reshape Asia's businesses

How Trump's tariff chaos could reshape Asia's businesses

4h | Others
How will Europe stop Russia's Shadow Fleet?

How will Europe stop Russia's Shadow Fleet?

14h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net