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COVID-19 vaccines

EU Warns Pharmaceutical Companies to Deliver Vaccines on Schedule as Infections Surge

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Union has stepped up its pressure on pharmaceutical companies that received EU aid to develop coronavirus vaccines, warning them to deliver shots on schedule at a time when infections are surging and many EU member states are struggling to roll out vaccines efficiently. The EU has invested heavily in vaccine research and production, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that the companies must honor their obligations and meet the delivery deadlines. The EU's hardening of its position comes after it accused AstraZeneca of failing to guarantee the delivery of coronavirus vaccines without a valid explanation and expressed displeasure over vaccine delivery delays from Pfizer-BioNTech.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has warned pharmaceutical companies that have developed coronavirus vaccines with EU aid to deliver shots on schedule, citing concerns over the slow rollout of vaccines in EU member states.
  • The EU has invested 2.7 billion euros in vaccine research and production, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized that companies must honor their obligations and meet delivery deadlines.
  • The EU has accused AstraZeneca of failing to guarantee the delivery of coronavirus vaccines without a valid explanation and has expressed displeasure over vaccine delivery delays from Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • The EU has committed to buying 300 million AstraZeneca doses with an option on 100 million extra shots, but the company has reduced its first contingent of 80 million doses to 31 million.
  • Pfizer has delayed deliveries to Europe and Canada while it upgrades its plant in Belgium to increase production capacity.
  • The EU is preparing a system of strict export controls on all coronavirus vaccines produced in the bloc, which could raise the specter of doses having trouble leaving the EU until its own orders are fulfilled.
  • German Health Minister Jens Spahn has stated that the EU is not looking for special treatment and that the delay in production should affect everyone fairly and equally.
  • The slow rollout of vaccines has led to a surge in COVID-19 cases, with over 400,000 confirmed virus deaths in the EU since the pandemic began.
  • France's rollout was delayed by logistical and administrative problems, while the Netherlands had to scramble to get ready for the hard-to-handle Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Statistics:

  • The EU has invested 2.7 billion euros in vaccine research and production.
  • The EU has committed to buying 300 million AstraZeneca doses with an option on 100 million extra shots.
  • AstraZeneca has reduced its first contingent of 80 million doses to 31 million.
  • Pfizer has delayed deliveries to Europe and Canada while it upgrades its plant in Belgium.
  • Over 400,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the EU since the pandemic began.
  • Only about 2% of the EU population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, compared to 10% in the UK.
  • The EU aims to vaccinate 70% of its adults by late summer.

Sources:

  • AP News: "EU warns pharmaceutical companies to deliver vaccines on schedule"
  • The World Economic Forum: "Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum"
  • EU Commission: "Investing in the development of COVID-19 vaccines"
  • European Medicines Agency: "COVID-19 vaccine update"
  • German Health Minister Jens Spahn: Interview on ZDF television
  • French Health Minister Olivier Veran: Statement on vaccine delivery delays
  • European Medicines Agency: "EMA statement on COVID-19 vaccines"

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