Covaxgate

Covaxgate

Covaxin vaccine vials

Covaxgate refers to a political scandal in Brazil involving allegations of corruption and irregularities in the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine known as Covaxin. The scandal emerged in 2021 and centered around the Brazilian government's negotiations and contract with the Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of Covaxin doses.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments worldwide to secure vaccines to immunize their populations. In Brazil, the government faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic and the slow pace of vaccine procurement. Amidst this backdrop, the Brazilian Ministry of Health entered into negotiations with Bharat Biotech to purchase 20 million doses of Covaxin.

Allegations

The scandal broke when a whistleblower, Luis Ricardo Miranda, a Ministry of Health official, and his brother, Luis Miranda, a federal deputy, alleged irregularities in the procurement process. They claimed that there was pressure to approve the contract despite concerns over pricing and documentation.

The contract for Covaxin was reportedly priced at $15 per dose, which was higher than other vaccines available at the time. Additionally, there were discrepancies in the invoices and a lack of proper documentation, raising suspicions of corruption and kickbacks.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Pandemic

In response to these allegations, the Brazilian Senate established the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate the government's handling of the pandemic, including the Covaxin deal. The inquiry sought to uncover any misconduct or corruption in the vaccine procurement process.

The CPI hearings revealed further details about the negotiations and the involvement of intermediaries, such as the company Precisa Medicamentos, which was responsible for representing Bharat Biotech in Brazil. Testimonies and documents presented during the inquiry suggested that there were attempts to expedite the contract approval despite the irregularities.

Impact

The Covaxgate scandal had significant political repercussions in Brazil. It intensified scrutiny on the Jair Bolsonaro administration and its management of the pandemic. The scandal also contributed to public distrust in the government's vaccination efforts and fueled protests against the administration.

The investigation into Covaxgate is part of a broader examination of the Brazilian government's response to the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting issues of transparency, accountability, and governance.

Related pages

• COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
• Bharat Biotech
• Jair Bolsonaro
• Parliamentary Inquiry Commission