The EU is stepping up vaccine export rules and putting pressure on AstraZeneca over deliveries

LONDON – The European Union has stepped up strict rules on Covid vaccine exports, while accumulating pressure on AstraZeneca to deliver more shots to the region.

It occurs when the slow deployment of vaccines in the region is being examined, although the EU continues to export millions of coronavirus shots abroad.

In an attempt to have a stronger negotiating position with pharmaceutical companies that do not meet delivery targets, the bloc has expanded its strict rules on vaccine exports.

Before approving Covid-19 firing shipments, the EU will consider whether the recipient country has restrictions on vaccines or raw materials, as well as whether it is in a better epidemiological situation.

“We want to make sure that Europe gets its fair share of vaccines. Because we need to be able to explain to our citizens that if companies export their vaccines around the world, it’s because they fully meet their commitments and don’t risk safety. of supply to the European Union, “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.

Data released on Thursday showed that the EU has exported 77 million doses of Covid shots since December to 33 countries around the world. At the same time, 88 million have been delivered to EU countries, of which 62 million have been administered. As such, the EU has exported more shots than ever to its citizens.

However, some EU nations have expressed concern about stricter export rules, with countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands wanting supply chains to remain open. There is a risk that if vaccine exports stop, a trade war could break out and other parts of the world (which cause the raw materials needed for vaccine production) to stop sending them to Europe.

The EU has also disagreed with the Swedish-British pharmacist for not delivering as many shots of Covid as the bloc expected.

The 27 nations expected 90 million doses of this vaccine in the first quarter and 180 million in the second quarter of 2021. However, AstraZeneca has said production problems mean it can only deliver 30 million doses by the end of March. and 70 million between April and June.

Reduced delivery targets are a concern for EU nations, some of which wanted more of this vaccine as it is cheaper and easier to store than others. Any further delivery delays in Europe could jeopardize its broader deployment plans.

“We all know, we could have been much faster if all the pharmaceutical companies had fulfilled their contracts,” von der Leyen said on Thursday.

During a press conference, he added that AstraZeneca, “must catch up, must respect the contract it has with European member states, before it can return to exporting vaccines.”

The deployment of EU vaccines has faced several challenges from the outset and the Commission, which negotiated with drug manufacturers, has been criticized for taking too long to sign vaccine agreements.

Speaking to CNBC on Friday, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said: “It should come as no surprise that Europe has reacted quite well in terms of a monetary and financial fiscal response to the pandemic and so far not at all ( so) well in terms of contracting and industrial response “.

He argued that while EU nations have integrated their monetary policies and part of their fiscal responses, “there has never been a health union”.

Individual governments remain at the forefront of their own health policies, while areas such as international trade are the main responsibility of the European Commission.

Stricter EU export rules could become a particular problem for the UK, which has received EU vaccines. Its vaccination rate is higher than that of the block, when looking at the number of first doses given.

European Commission figures show that the UK has received 21 million doses of vaccines produced in the bloc, the highest percentage of EU exports to date. The UK has administered 31 million doses of Covid-19 shots to its population so far, suggesting that about two-thirds of the vaccines used in the UK come from the EU.

“We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a beneficial relationship between the UK and the EU at Covid-19,” the two sides said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

“Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take, in the short, medium and long term, to create a win-win situation and expand the supply of vaccines for all our citizens.”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told a news conference on Thursday that a vaccine supply agreement between the EU and the UK could already be announced.