- By Wayne Rodrigo:
- (General Dispatch) – France supported Italy after blocking the shipment of 250,000 doses of AstraZeneca, the French government said it will act in the same way with exports that do not comply with the agreements made in the EU.
- The European Union supports France’s decision, after the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has not complied with the production levels agreed for Europe, for which reason drastic measures have been taken.
- In view of the great shortage of vaccines in Europe, the export system was created to control the shipments made by the pharmaceutical companies, through which they are obliged to comply with the contract, prioritizing the EU, which currently has been late in immunizing its population.
- Since the system came into force, 174 exports to different countries have been authorized, none of which are to the EU. Ursula von der leyen will be watching the movements of the pharmaceutical companies.
- The biggest problem is with AstraZeneca, which had agreed to have 80 million vaccines for the first quarter of the year and said that for now they will be able to cover 40% as they have had difficulties.
- EU spokesman Eric Mamer said “We are working with the companies to make sure they deliver the doses planned for the European Union. For all those companies that are doing that, there is no problem with exports.”
- The EU thought that by making countless contracts with different pharmaceuticals it would speed up the immunization of its population of around 450 million. Up to 2 billion vaccines have been ordered. But currently they have only been able to supply 33 million doses and immunized 11 million Europeans.
- Italy was the first country to make use of the export system, blocking vaccines destined for Australia, which has received a large number of doses manufactured by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: France May Block Vax Exports After EU Backs Italian Seizure of Australia-Bound Doses
France 24: France, EU back Italy’s decision to block Covid-19 vaccine shipment to Australia
