Britain Seeks Allies Against EU Vaccine Export Ban

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken to his counterparts in Belgium, the Netherlands, and other EU countries in an effort to prevent a European Union vaccine export ban from hitting critical supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. Johnson's calls aimed to ensure that vaccine deliveries are not disrupted, which could jeopardize Britain's vaccine program and further strain already tense relations with the EU. The UK is concerned that an export ban would disrupt global supply chains, including those with British factories that produce components of the Pfizer vaccine.

Key Takeaways:

• Britain is seeking allies to prevent a European Union vaccine export ban from hitting critical supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to his counterparts in Belgium, the Netherlands, and other EU countries to ensure that vaccine deliveries are not disrupted.
• The UK is concerned that an export ban would disrupt global supply chains, including those with British factories that produce components of the Pfizer vaccine.
• The Belgian government is opposed to export bans due to concerns that they would damage the pharmaceutical industry and specifically the Pfizer production site in Puurs, Belgium.
• The Pfizer jab is produced at the company's plant in Belgium, but components are produced across the UK and Europe, including with specialist chemicals company Croda in Yorkshire.
• The UK could disrupt supply critical chains if an EU ban on Pfizer vaccine exports is triggered.
• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has threatened to seize vaccines or take control of factories making jabs earmarked for export.
• Britain is being targeted as "country No 1" by the EU due to Astra-Zeneca's failure to meet European delivery promises while supplying the UK government with jabs from its two British factories.

Statistics:

• 59.5% of the UK population has received at least one vaccine dose (9.6 million doses administered)
• 38.6% of the Israeli population has received at least one vaccine dose (28.3 million doses administered)
• 35.2% of the UAE population has received at least one vaccine dose (6.7 million doses administered)
• 28.4% of the Chilean population has received at least one vaccine dose (8.1 million doses administered)
• 22.6% of the US population has received at least one vaccine dose (116 million doses administered)

Sources:

• Our World in Data (latest figures available)
• gov.uk
• The Telegraph