EU regulators have proposed requiring drug manufacturers to mark coronavirus vaccine exports, a move that could disrupt firing deliveries by Pfizer and BioNTech.
Photographer: Nathan Laine / Bloomberg
Photographer: Nathan Laine / Bloomberg
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warns European Union against “protectionism” after bloc regulators proposed drug manufacturers should mark exports of coronavirus vaccines.
The EU measure could disrupt deliveries of Pfizer Inc. i BioNTech SE shots, made in Belgium. The AstraZeneca Plc vaccine is manufactured in the UK and is licensed for overseas production.
The UK leads Europe in coronavirus vaccines, with 6.6 million people, about 10% of the UK population, receiving a first dose from Sunday. In the EU there is a growing anger over delivery delays AstraZeneca, which is expected to deliver fewer shots on the continent during the first quarter than previously expected.
“I am pleased to say that I am confident (having spoken to Pfizer and AstraZeneca executives) and am confident in the supply of vaccines in the UK; I am sure this will not be interrupted,” Hancock said at a webinar in London on Tuesday. “But I would urge all international partners in fact to collaborate and work together. And I don’t think protectionism is the right approach in the midst of a pandemic. “
At the event, organized by the Chatham House research institute, Hancock was asked several times about the UK’s international reputation after the country made progress in vaccine deployment. The South African government has complained of “vaccine apartheid” and “inequity breakdowns” in agreements signed by pharmaceutical companies with richer nations.
“As UK health secretary, it is my duty to protect the British people,” he said as he defended the British government’s strategy.
London will push for the standardization of cross-country research methods so that disease data can be shared more easily, Hancock said. The UK, which is currently chairing the G7 group of industrialized countries, also offers a way to assess Covid mutations abroad, along with funding aid for the poorest nations as part of its effort. international, he said.
The UK aims to offer vaccines to around 15 million people in its four main priority groups by 15 February. This includes nursing home residents, those over the age of 70 and front-line health workers.
(Add comments from Matt Hancock from the first paragraph)