Australia is asking the European Commission to review the vaccine block in Italy

CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australia has called on the European Commission to review an Italian decision to block the transport of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, while stressing on Friday that missing doses will not affect Australia’s inoculation program.

Italy, backed by the European Commission, has banned the planned export of about 250,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine after the drug manufacturer failed to meet its EU contractual commitments.

“Australia has raised the issue of the European Commission through several channels, and in particular we have asked the European Commission to review this decision,” Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told Melbourne reporters.

Hunt said Australia has already received 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which will last until local vaccine production increases.

Australia began its inoculation program two weeks ago, vaccinating top medical staff and the elderly with the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine, although doses of this vaccine are limited due to global supply.

AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While calling for the intervention of the European Commission, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he could understand the reasons for Italy’s objection.

“In Italy, people die at a rate of 300 a day. So I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many European countries, “Morrison told Sydney reporters.

Italy’s move comes just days after Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took office last month, told fellow EU leaders that the bloc must speed up vaccinations and deal with pharmaceutical companies that failed to deliver on promised supplies. .

EU countries started vaccinations at the end of December, but are moving at a much slower pace than many other nations, with officials blaming slow progress in part on supply problems with key producers.

Australian officials administered the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine to a doctor on Friday.

Australia has ordered 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was developed in conjunction with Oxford University. Local pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd has secured the manufacturing rights for 50 million doses in Australia and expects to release the first batch near the end of March.

Locally produced doses will be the backbone of Australia’s inoculation program, which officials hope to complete by October.

Australia is under less pressure than many other countries, with just under 29,000 COVID-19 cases and 909 deaths. Lower levels of infection and death were helped by strict blockages, rapid tracking systems and border closures.