The governor of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado (DEM), sanctioned the law that prohibits the mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 in the state. With this, it is up to the citizen to decide whether or not to be immunized. The decision took effect on Tuesday (12), when it was published in the Official Gazette.
The law says that “the person residing in the State of Goiás is guaranteed the right not to undergo compulsory vaccination adopted by the Public Power to face the public health emergency resulting from Covid-19”.
The bill had already been approved in the Assembly, in two votes, in December of last year. Among the justifications used, the author of the text, deputy delegate Humberto Teófilo (PSL), said that the obligation violated the right to individual freedom. He also claimed that the virus “is not fatal”.
Caiado defended that the decision not to be vaccinated is a “citizen’s prerogative” and that he cannot be obliged by the state to do so.
“There is no obligation. This is a citizen’s prerogative. Every citizen has the right to be able to make his choice. We cannot impose, in a democratic regime, with a citizen’s constitution, that the person tomorrow is deprived of something he wants”, he evaluates.
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_59edd422c0c84a879bd37670ae4f538a/internal_photos/bs/2020/Q/g/SCzQsPQxaqUvIMLAVpAQ/caiado.jpg "Caiado sanctions law banning mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 in Goiás 4")
By decision of Caiado, vaccine against Covid will not be mandatory in Goiás – Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
He also said that he will show the population the importance of vaccination and that he would like to “be at the first place in line” to receive the dose and that those who do not do so may be subject to certain restrictions.
“It is logical that when he goes on a trip, if this is a condition, he will not be able to make the trip. In some circumstances, he may not be able to hold a position or role if he does not have a vaccine. Now, the state cannot determine that the person has to be vaccinated”, he highlights.
“The vaccine will be offered to the population, now it cannot be imposed on the population. I will do every campaign in the sense of motivating people. I’ve said dozens of times that I wanted to be first in line to get the vaccine. I will urge everyone to vaccinate, but of their own free will”, he concludes.
The Brazilian Bar Association – Goiás Section (OAB-GO), expressed itself in the same direction. According to the president of the Constitutional Law Commission, Ponciano Martins Souto, the measure has legal support.
“Citizens cannot be forced to vaccinate. Citizens need to have adequate mechanisms to vaccinate, for example, imposing a fine and other restrictions. You cannot in any way be forced to vaccinate. I think that the state of Goiás made an option and I do not see this option as being legally inappropriate”, he points out.
