Brazilian Plane Will Fly Oxygen to Beleaguered Manaus after India Denies Vaccine Access

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian flight that was supposed to pick up two million doses of the Oxford vaccine in India was cancelled and redirected to fight the chaotic situation in the Amazonas healthcare system.

The aircraft stationed at the Recife Airport reached the Viracopos Airport in Campinas (SP) on Saturday morning and is expected to fly to Manaus later, carrying oxygen cylinders to hospitals in the capital of Amazonas.

The Azul Airlines’ A330neo aircraft took off at 3:58 AM from Recife and landed at 06:43 AM in Campinas. By note, Azul reported that the request to redirect the flight that would head to India to Amazonas was made by the Ministry of Health.

“The flight will be performed by the same aircraft that would today leave to Mumbai, India, given that the mission will have its start rescheduled while diplomatic issues between the two countries are addressed and doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine may be brought to Brazil,” said Azul.

“Our goal is to help Brazil and the Brazilians and we will not spare efforts to offer logistical support in the transport of supplies to fight Covid-19. We are ready to fly to India and also to carry whatever is necessary within Brazil,” completed the company.

Impasse over India

There is still no information on when the vaccine doses produced by the Serum Institute will be imported. The immunizer is being analyzed by the National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) for emergency use in Brazil. The agency’s decision should be made on Sunday, January 17th.

The crew was prepared to conduct the transport of doses, but the operation was suspended. In an interview to TV Bandeirantes on Friday, President Jair Bolsonaro said that the purchase would take “two or three days”.

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