Vaccine hesitancy is spreading, but many people are proud of getting their jab.
Brazil faces rising demand for all types of medicines, particularly those related to chronic diseases. At the same time it is fighting misinformation that reduces demand for necessary vaccines.
The slow start of the Covid-19 vaccination programme has diverted attention from other big challenges facing Brazil’s health-care system, known as the SUS (Sistema Ãnico de Saúde). For example, chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory difficulties are on the rise among Brazil’s 212 million people. Together, such non-communicable diseases accounted for 72 % of deaths in 2013, according to the country’s National Health Survey.