The ban on covid vaccine exports from the UK and the EU is growing

LONDON – Tensions are high between the UK and the European Union, as the 27-member bloc considers restricting exports of Covid-19 vaccines to the English Channel.

The European Union is increasingly frustrated at AstraZeneca because it has not met its delivery targets to the block. The pharmaceutical company has reduced the number of vaccines it will deliver to the EU twice in the first quarter and once in the second quarter. As a result, European officials are concerned that any future problems could undermine their vaccination targets.

AstraZeneca has met its delivery targets for the United Kingdom – where the vaccination rate is higher than in the EU – even though some of these vaccines come from plants in the European Union. The UK placed the order for AstraZeneca photos earlier than the EU.

“The EU must ensure the delivery of vaccines to Europeans in accordance with the contractual obligations of companies. We will review the various instruments at our disposal for this purpose, including the use of the export authorization regime in its current form or in an adapted form,” the spokesman said. of the European Commission told CNBC on Monday.

At the end of January, the EU approved restrictions on the export of Covid-19 vaccines, but they can only be implemented if a company does not comply with its contractual obligations with the region and if the vaccines go to a country considered not to be vulnerable.

This allowed Italy to stop a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia a few weeks ago – the only case in which European authorities prevented the regions from leaving the Covid blows. However, the legislation is due to expire at the end of March.

“There is an ongoing process of reflection in the EU and we will consult the Member States. All options are on the table,” the European Commission spokesman added by e-mail. The issue is expected to be discussed by the 27 heads of state on Thursday during a European summit.

Speaking over the weekend to a group of newspapers, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We can ban planned exports. This is the message to AstraZeneca: “You fulfill your contract with Europe before you start delivery to other countries. ‘. “

Von der Leyen had already called for stricter export restrictions last week.

“We will reflect on whether exports to countries with higher vaccination rates than us are still proportionate,” she said on Wednesday.

Since last week, the European Union has exported 41 million doses of Covid fire to 33 countries. The largest recipient was the United Kingdom

The UK government has not confirmed when contacted by CNBC on Monday whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson was to speak to European leaders about vaccine exports. A spokesman for the prime minister said Monday that the British government believes in the importance of countries not imposing export restrictions on vaccines and that nations should cooperate, Reuters reported.

However, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News on Sunday that blocking vaccines would be “counterproductive” and damage the EU’s reputation.

Pfizer, whose vaccine has been the most widely used in the EU so far, has said the region should not block the export of Covid photos because the company needs UK raw materials. from reaching plants in the EU.

A Pfizer spokesman told CNBC on Monday that its position is aligned with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, which said in January that the export ban risks retaliation “given the global nature of vaccine supply lines.” ”.

The UK aims to complete vaccination of the adult population with the first dose of Covid vaccines by July.

Despite a “tough” start to launch in the European Union, as described by von der Leyen last week, the bloc also intends to reach the herd’s immunity by mid-July.

“Until July 14, we have the opportunity to reach immunity,” Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said on Sunday.

The EU’s goal will depend on the fulfillment of delivery contracts by four pharmaceutical companies and the ability of Member States to vaccinate their populations.