Starting in 2024, Brazilian children under 5 years of age may be subject to mandatory COVID-19 jabs.

Announced in late October, Brazil’s health ministry said it would be including the COVID-19 shots into its mandatory national immunization program.

According to Agencia Brasil, the complete vaccination schedule for children aged 6 months to 5 years includes three doses. The infant or child will receive a first dose, then a second dose four weeks later, and a third dose eight weeks after that. 

Families must comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement in order to participate in Brazil’s social welfare program, the “Bolsa Família.”

The program was originally created in 2003 to guarantee a basic income for impoverished Brazilians. Starting in 2024, however, in order for families to continue receiving monthly payments of about R$600 (approximately CAD$166) they must “meet commitments in the areas of health and education, to strengthen access [to] basic social rights.”

According to one report, to be eligible for the “basic social rights,” Brazilans must ensure a minimum school attendance of 60% for children aged 4 to 5 years, among other criteria. 

Therefore, with the COVID-19 vaccine included in the national immunization calendar, it becomes mandatory for families benefiting from the program to vaccinate children against the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Another report read, “With the obligation, not vaccinating children may result in fines and loss of social benefits, such as Bolsa Familia.”

Brazil Government moves ahead with adding Covid shot for baby vaccine schedule despite heavy criticism and expert advice

Despite heavy criticism and expert advice against the mandate of inoculating children, the Brazilian government moved ahead with their policy.

Dr. Pierre Kory, Cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough, and immunologist and biochemist Jessica Rose, Ph.D. testified in a hearing to discuss the dangers of the government decision.

Dr. McCullough said to the Defender, “COVID-19 vaccines cause fatal heart damage and a host of other side effects,” adding that they are “unsafe for use in children.”

The Brazilian government has been seeking to pass legislation that would introduce a national vaccination program in schools.

One controversial bill was narrowly defeated in the senate that would have forced education professionals to send a list of unvaccinated students names and address information of their parents to their health unit.  If the parents did not present themselves to the unit within 30 days, health professionals would pay a visit to their home in order to “raise awareness about the importance of being up-to-date with the vaccination.”