Vaccine Approval in Brazil: Leveraging Expertise and Navigating Politics

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the crucial role of a country's regulatory abilities. Nations had to fast-track new vaccine technologies amidst scientific uncertainty and political pressure, a particularly tough challenge for middle-income countries with less experience in crisis regulation. How did countries still developing their regulatory systems speed up the approval of COVID-19 vaccines? How did they handle political pressures without sacrificing safety and effectiveness? Brazil, with one of Latin America's top regulatory bodies but facing serious political strife, offers valuable insights.Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) used a tactic called "regulatory reliance" to swiftly approve COVID-19 vaccines. This means they depended on the decisions and methods of more advanced regulatory agencies outside Brazil. By doing this, Anvisa could bolster their own capacity and tackle domestic political issues more effectively. This strategy had two key advantages: it boosted their efficiency during crises and reduced the impact of political pressures. Brazil’s experience suggests that middle-income countries can respond better to health emergencies by incorporating external expertise. This approach not only helps in crisis situations but also contributes to global regulatory stability. Moreover, it shows that relying on others can strengthen less developed regulatory systems and foster a common approach, even without global alignment.