Brazil’s supreme court rules Covid-19 vaccination can be mandatory

Brazil’s supreme court has ruled Covid-19 vaccination can be made mandatory (Chris Jackson/PA)

Brazil’s supreme court says coronavirus vaccination can be made mandatory, delivering a blow to the nation’s nascent anti-vaccine movement.

But the court also ruled Brazilians may not be vaccinated against their will.

A court statement says Thursday’s ruling does pave the way for state and municipal governments to approve laws imposing fines or restrictive measures for anyone refusing to take a vaccine.

Jair Bolsonaro has sown scepticism about vaccination (Eraldo Peres/AP)

President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he will not take any vaccine and opposes mandatory immunisation. He has also sown scepticism about potential side effects.

Opinion polls have indicated a growing resistance to vaccination, with about one-fifth of Brazilians surveyed by pollster Datafolha this month saying they do not intend to get a shot.

Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa has yet to approve any shot for mass immunisation.