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Brazil begins vaccination programme - 27th January 2021

The Brazilian government has finally started its vaccination programme.

Coronavirus-related deaths have increased in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, which has the largest indigenous population in the country. Hospitals are overflowing and there isn't enough oxygen for Covid patients.

However, the government is hoping to encourage people in the remote region to get the vaccine. The first vaccination was given to nurse Vanda Ortega from the Witoto indigenous group.

Brazil has the second highest number of Covid-related deaths after the United States. The virus has already taken over 217,000 lives in Brazil. But the vaccination programme hasn't been welcomed by everyone.

President Bolsonaro has questioned the safety of the vaccine. He has also opposed local lockdown restrictions because he feels protecting Brazil's economy is more important. As a result, some local governments have started their vaccination programmes without Bolsonaro's permission.

Arguments around the virus and the vaccination programme show no sign of ending soon. But after receiving her vaccine, Ortega had this to say.

Ortega: "There are more than a million indigenous people living in Brazilian territory who require help too during this pandemic. Thank you all so much, may Tupã look after all of us, may God take care of all of us."