MOSCOW – The European Union may block exports of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine to the United Kingdom, so as to retain stable supplies for member states, reported the Sputnik news agency.
The bloc is studying an opportunity to resort to “urgent measures to ensure effective vaccine production and supply for our population”, the Independent news outlet reported yesterday, citing a leaked letter by European Council president Charles Michel.
The “vaccine war” was sparked by AstraZeneca’s decision to guarantee supplies to the UK while delaying deliveries to the EU due to production problems.
London has already ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, whose delivery is currently under threat.
“This would give the EU and its member states the legal means, by adopting appropriate urgent measures, to ensure effective vaccine production and supply for our population,” said Michel in the letter commenting on the possible export ban.
He reportedly added that he posed this suggestion to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Politico yesterday reported that the EU will today introduce a mechanism to allow member states to block vaccine exports worldwide.
The plan reportedly envisages the bloc granting special authorisation to make exports possible.
The EU will grant such permits only after making sure that producers have delivered doses to member states as contained in advanced purchasing agreements.
Two officials told Politico that poor countries and the international Covax mechanism will be exempt from the authorisation requirement. – Bernama, January 29, 2021
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