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European Commission PHOTO: Reuters
The European Commission has defended its policy of distribution of vaccines against COVID-19, after today six EU countries, including Bulgaria, complained that doses were not distributed fairlyReuters reported.
In a joint letter to the Commission and the European Council, the leaders of Austria, Bulgaria, Latvia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, later joined by Croatia, called for the issue to be discussed.
In response, the EC said that the doses are distributed proportionally according to the population of each country and taking into account the epidemic data. The distribution depends on the governments of the member states, he said in a statement, BTA reported.
The EC noted that the flexible policy agreed by the 27 allows countries in a more serious epidemic situation to have access to more doses if other countries agree not to take the proper amounts.
The return to the proportional distribution of vaccines depends on the Member States, stressed the European Commission and made it clear that it prefers this method itself.
The Commission has been criticized for the slowness of vaccination in the EU, although EU governments play an important role in purchasing vaccines and drawing up vaccination plans, according to Reuters.
Yesterday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz accused some countries of negotiating behind the scenes more vaccines than they would receive in proportion to their population, and this has led to an unfair distribution of vaccines among the 27.
However, according to the Austrian opposition, Kurz is trying to divert attention from the slow progress of the vaccination campaign in the country.
The letter calling for a “European solution” was sent to the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.
The next EU summit is scheduled for March 25-26.
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