December 19, 2020 11:37:41 pm
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF) decided Thursday that it is constitutional for the State to order compulsory vaccination against COVID-19. The State cannot forcibly immunize its citizens. But fines, bars on attending certain places and on enrollment in school may be imposed upon vaccination refusal.
Brazil has been one of the nations worst-hit by COVID-19. It has recorded more than five million cases since the onset of the pandemic, making it the nation with the third-highest number of cases after the US and India, according to Reuters.
The court’s justices viewed this as a public health concern necessitating the creation of herd immunity. They recognized that in the past, widespread immunization has been instrumental in eradicating a number of diseases. Minister Rosa Weber argued that the restrictions on individual freedoms are impositions on constitutional rights, which make it necessary to adopt measures to protec