Thierry Breton
Photographer: Thierry Monasse / Bloomberg
Photographer: Thierry Monasse / Bloomberg
Covid-19 vaccine doses “arrive” and the European Union does not need the firing of Russia’s Sputnik V, according to the EU commissioner in charge of fixing the block’s vaccine.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton pledged to deliver 100 million doses in April and said continental Europe could reach immunity on 14 July, which is Bastille Day in France.
Meanwhile, the Russians are “fighting to get their hands” on the Sputnik vaccine, Breton said in a French television interview. By contrast, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country could use Sputnik.
“Dear Commissioner Breton, stop being partial. Europeans want a selection of safe and efficient vaccines, which you have not provided so far. Sputnik V is already registered in 54 countries, “the Russian vaccine developer reacted a series of tweets. “His comments put pressure on Sputnik V not to go through the EMA approval process because @ThierryBreton Do you think that everything is fine with EU vaccines and that Sputnik V is not needed? Are Europeans happy with the Breton vaccination approach? ”
Most European countries resumed dispensing AstraZeneca Plc fired on Friday after a suspension to assess possible side effects, a setback for the EU vaccination campaign.
Asked about the relatively slow deployment of vaccines in the EU, Breton insisted that Covid-related mortality rates were higher in the UK and US, which President Joe Biden said had just met the target of inoculate 100 million Americans.
Europe produces up to 150 million doses a month, Breton said, adding that he called AstraZeneca’s CEO daily to check production. European leaders have blamed the company for delays in the vaccination campaign and for giving the UK priority over the EU in deliveries.
(Add the reaction of Sputnik V developers to paragraph 4.)