CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australia has called on the European Commission to review Italy’s decision to block shipments of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, but stressed on Friday that missing doses would not affect the deployment of Australia inoculation program.
Italy, with the support of the European Commission, banned the planned export of some 250,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine after the drug manufacturer failed to meet its contractual commitments to the European Union.
“Australia has raised the issue with the European Commission through various channels and in particular we have asked the European Commission to review this decision,” Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told Melbourne reporters.
Hunt said Australia had already received 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, which would last until local vaccine production increased.
Australia began its inoculation program two weeks ago, vaccinating front-line health workers and the elderly with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, although doses of this vaccine are limited amid a strict supply. world.
AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
While seeking the intervention of the European Commission, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he could understand the reasons for Italy’s objection.
“In Italy, people die at a rate of 300 a day. And so, without a doubt, I can understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many European countries, ”Morrison told Sydney journalists.
Italy’s move came just days after Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took office last month, told EU colleagues that the bloc needed to speed up vaccinations and crack down on pharmaceutical companies that did not comply. promised supplies.
EU countries began inoculations in late December, but they are advancing at a much slower pace than many other countries, and officials blamed slow progress in part on supply problems with major manufacturers.
Australian officials administered the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to a doctor on Friday.
Australia has ordered 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed in conjunction with Oxford University. Local pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd has secured the right to manufacture 50 million of these doses in Australia and expects to release the first batch by the end of March.
Locally produced doses will provide the backbone of Australia’s inoculation program, which officials hope to complete in October.
Australia is under less pressure than many other countries, with just under 29,000 cases of COVID-19 and 909 deaths. Lower levels of infection and fatality have been aided by strict blockades, rapid tracking systems and border closures.
Colin Packham Reports; Edited by Jane Wardell and Kenneth Maxwell