EU Threatens to Restrict Vaccine Exports as Row Intensifies

Strategic Insights -

The European Union's threat to restrict vaccine exports has sparked a row with the UK, with both sides digging in their heels as the dispute escalates. The EU's plan to tighten controls on vaccine shipments abroad has British officials warning that it could affect the UK's supplies of the Pfizer jab. The row comes as the EU's vaccine rollout has been criticized for its slow pace, with just one in 50 adults having received a jab compared to about one in eight in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU is drawing up plans to tighten controls on vaccine shipments abroad, which could affect the UK's supplies of the Pfizer jab.
  • AstraZeneca has warned the EU that problems with production in Belgium meant the bloc will receive barely a third of the expected supplies over the next three months.
  • EU officials have "explicitly asked AstraZeneca whether it could divert doses produced in Britain" to meet the EU's needs.
  • German health minister Jens Spahn has called for Brussels to force firms to secure export licenses before shipping jabs.
  • The European Commission has piled pressure on British-based Astra-Zeneca to use supplies of its Oxford vaccine meant for British patients to fill the shortfall in its EU production.
  • The EU's vaccine rollout has come under heavy criticism, with just one in 50 adults having received a jab compared with about one in eight in Britain.
  • EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis has said that the EU is not planning to impose export bans or export restrictions, but insiders told the Mail that new rules are set to be unveiled on Friday.
  • Tory MPs are urging ministers to stand firm against the EU's threats, with Sir Bernard Jenkin saying there could be "no question of the EU hijacking UK vaccine orders".

Statistics:

  • Only one in 50 adults in the EU has had a jab, compared with about one in eight in the UK.
  • The EU's vaccine rollout is expected to be slow, with the bloc facing a shortfall of hundreds of millions of doses.
  • AstraZeneca has warned the EU that problems with production in Belgium will result in the bloc receiving barely a third of expected supplies over the next three months.
  • The EU's criticism of the UK's vaccine procurement has been met with a firm response from British officials, who have insisted that they will not be bullied or interfered with.

Sources:

  • Mail Online, "EU threatens to block exports of Pfizer vaccine from UK after row over shortage"
  • BBC News, "EU threatens to restrict vaccine exports"
  • The Guardian, "Boris Johnson warns EU not to interfere with UK vaccine supplies"
  • The Times, "EU's vaccine rollout under fire as UK prepares for surge in demand"