Scientists suggest to the transitional government greater autonomy for the vaccination program

The Questão de Ciência Institute suggested to the transitional government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) that the PNI (National Immunization Program) have more autonomy than it does today.

The proposal was presented with three others to the health technical group, this Friday (25), at the CCBB (Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil), where the transitional government is based.

According to scientist Natalia Pasternak, who is part of the institute, the idea has also been discussed with other entities, such as PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), and was positively received by the members of the Health WG.

“That [a estrutura do PNI] it was never a problem before, but when a denialist government appeared, and we cannot guarantee that this will not happen again, we saw how fragile the structure of the PNI is. A program that has always had great prestige was discredited, scrapped and was unable to make decisions autonomously,” Pasternak told reporters at the CCBB.

In the ministry’s current organization chart, the PNI is now a coordination within the Department of Immunization and Communicable Diseases of the Secretariat for Surveillance and Health, that is, it is in the fourth step of the portfolio.

The suggestion is to raise the PNI to the status of a department, ensuring greater structure, budget and autonomy in decision-making.

In addition, the institute also proposed the creation of a special advisor to the presidency for scientific matters. The post now exists for other topics, such as international affairs. The scientists’ idea is that the advisor has access to all folders and acts across the board, translating science, in Pasternak’s words, to the president himself and any minister he calls upon.

There are also two proposals to improve science and health communication, and to combat vaccine hesitancy in the country.

Pasternak is a microbiologist, president of the organization and one of the main scientific disseminators in the country. She was also one of the main voices in the fight against denialism during the Covid-19 pandemic and criticism of the policies adopted by President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).