The Public Ministry of Minas Gerais (MP-MG) has initiated legal action against the parents of a six-month-old child in Pedra Azul, urging the enforcement of mandatory vaccination under the National Immunization Program (PNI). This drastic measure comes after the parents declined to follow a recommendation made by the MP when the child was three months old. The prosecutor's office is requesting an urgent court order that would require the parents to vaccinate their child within ten days, with the threat of a daily fine of R$ 1,000 for any delay in compliance.

The family's refusal to vaccinate is reportedly backed by a medical certificate from a doctor in São Paulo, which they presented to the prosecutor's office as justification for their decision. However, this document did not meet the necessary criteria, prompting further legal action. The MP-MG emphasizes the importance of the child's vaccination for public health, highlighting the legal and ethical responsibilities of parents in relation to immunization.

This case reflects the broader debate surrounding vaccination mandates and parental rights in Brazil, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As vaccination rates fluctuate and misinformation spreads, public health authorities are increasingly resorting to legal measures to ensure compliance, raising essential questions about the balance of individual rights versus community health responsibilities.