Should kids be vaccinated? Brazil turns to online survey

Sao Paulo: As world leaders rely on public health specialists to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus, Brazil’s government is asking the public online for guidance.

In recent weeks, President Jair Bolsonaro has staked out a position against immunising kids aged between 5 and 11, and his administration took the unusual step of creating a platform that could validate a stance that is widely opposed by experts.

Since his government on December 23 unveiled its online questionnaire on the issue, the president’s supporters have been highly engaged on messaging apps trying to pressure parents to swing the results.