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Relations within the EU are increasingly tense due to vaccine shortages. According to press sources, theAustria threatens to block the purchase of 100 million doses of Pfizer by the European Commission unless Vienna receives a larger share of the offer.
The news of the Austrian ultimatum was given by Politico.eu, which cites diplomatic sources from three member countries.
EU tensions over vaccines
Europe is in great need of vaccines. Toward European council Last week there was a confrontation for 10 million doses of Pfizer, opened by Austria and other countries that, after having bet everything on AstraZeneca, are facing a shortage of doses due to the delays of the company.
The Commission is about to opt for an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer vaccine to deal with slowdown of the vaccination campaign and the appearance of variants, but now that the additional supply is compromised by the latest move of the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
100 million doses of Pfizer held hostage by Austria
After receiving a categorical “no” from the majority of leaders, who want to continue distributing doses of anti-Covid vaccines according to Population criteria and spread of the epidemic., Kurz has issued the ultimatum: if Austria no longer receives doses, Vienna will prevent the Commission from opting for a supply of another 100 million doses from Pfizer.
Diplomats from different countries of the Union have expressed their outrage at the threat from Austria, which not among the countries with the highest risk of Covid. One of the people heard by Politico said that other countries like Bulgaria would need the doses more.
“This shows that Kurz would like to put the lives of 50 million Europeans in danger to get something you don’t even need”Said the diplomat. “Solidarity is a one-way street in Vienna; at the end of the match, nobody cares,” said another.
Austria is among the 10 fastest countries to administer anti-Covid vaccines, while for new cases it is below the EU average. Despite this, a new blockade was established a few days ago.
