Brazilian Pastor Subpoenaed after Saying Coronavac Causes Cancer and Contains HIV

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fortaleza Pastor Davi Góes was subpoenaed by the Ceará Prosecutor’s Office (MPCE) to testify following the release of a video in which he states that the Coronavac vaccine, manufactured by Sinovac pharmaceutical company in partnership with the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, causes cancer and contains HIV.

The MPCE asks that the religious leader be held civilly and criminally liable for spreading “false news” about the vaccine on social media. Prosecutor Ricardo Sant’Anna granted a 15-day deadline for the pastor to produce “his technical, scientific, health or medical skills” that could “accredit him as a qualified specialist to release an analysis on the topic he addressed”.

In the video circulating on the networks, the pastor says that, according to a French scientist whose name he fails to mention, the Covid-19 virus was apparently developed in France, later sent to China, enhanced in the country, and then spread.

“Many people will die of cancer, thinking it was cancer because they ate something, because it was genetic, because they have family, because of a tumor, but in fact it was because of the vaccine. After this substance enters our organism it will reach our DNA, a French scientist said there is even HIV in it”, he says in an excerpt of the video, failing to show scientific evidence.

“The China vaccine alters your DNA and even contains HIV in it. I don’t know who this criminal is, but in a serious country he would be already arrested by now. pic.twitter.com/ndm4fmuw8o – Flávio Costa (@flaviocostaf) December 14th, 2020”

After the video was released, the pastor claimed that his statements had been taken out of context. In the Prosecutor’s Office subpoena, the complete video in which David Góes refers to the Chinese vaccine is also requested.

On Monday, December 22nd, the National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) granted a certification of good practices to Sinovac, partner of the Butantan Institute in the production of the Coronavac. The vaccine, in final trials phase, may be used for immunization against the novel coronavirus.

Valid for two years, the certification is one of the pre-requisites for the continuation of both Sinovac’s vaccine registration process and a potential request for emergency use authorization to be submitted to the regulatory agency.

The Coronavac plant in China was inspected by an ANVISA committee from December 2nd to 13th. On Wednesday, December 16th, the Butantan Institute submitted an action plan to the regulatory agency, which enabled the process to be completed. The technical assessment of the inspection team and the analysis review were conducted and completed by ANVISA on Sunday, December 20th.

The São Paulo state government will be presenting the full vaccine trial results to ANVISA on Wednesday, December 23rd, and will request the complete registration of the immunizer.