Although Covid created a chaotic scenario at the beginning of the pandemic, Brazil is now seeing very positive results. The vaccine culture in Brazil is well accepted by citizens. Even having started vaccination after other countries, Brazil already is the fourth country in a ranking of number of vaccine doses applied in the world. And each Brazilian state has two scientific committees (one state and one municipal) to help with decision-making and flexibility.
An interesting fact that few foreigners know about health in Brazil is that you are entitled to medical care even if you are from another country. This also applies to the vaccination schedule: if you are in Brazil and have to take a dose of any vaccine (covid, flu, tetanus, yellow fever, etc), just go to a vaccination center and you will receive your vaccine free of charge. I am sure this will give you some peace of mind when coming to Brazil!
Overall, Covid in Rio de Janeiro has not made it any less of a functioning city. But itโs still important to take precautions, and keep up with the news. Since the vaccination campaign started, we can notice a positive change on the numbers of severe cases of the disease in Brazil. And even if youโd like to wait and see what happens from the comfort of your own home, you can still learn Portuguese online. Whether you decide to come now or when the pandemic eases, youโll always be more than welcome to join us for a class in person in Rio.