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Both Downing Street and the UK drug regulator have contradicted Matt Hancock’s claim that Brexit helped the UK become the first Western country to license a coronavirus vaccine.
The Health Secretary claimed on Wednesday morning that “due to Brexit,” the UK had been able to approve the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, rather than wait for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to do so.
The UK is still under the mandate of the EMA until the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1, but EU laws also allow member states to approve medicines for emergency use without authorization from the EMA.
At a government briefing on the UK’s decision to become the first country to license the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for emergency use, the head of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), who took the decision, cited EU rules.
“We have been able to authorize the supply of this vaccine using the provisions of European legislation, which exist until January 1,” said June Raine, executive director of the MHRA.
When asked about the contradiction between these comments and Hancock’s stated opinion, Boris Johnson’s spokesman deliberately refused to endorse the health secretary.
“I think the important point is that we are the first country in the world to approve this vaccine, and thanks to the hard work of the MHRA,” he said, when asked if Hancock had been right to prove Brexit.
Pressed repeatedly on whether the number 10 agreed with Hancock, the spokesperson said only: “As I said, it is clear that we are the first country in the world to approve this vaccine, and it is obviously incredibly positive news.”
The health secretary made the claim in an interview with Times Radio, saying one of the reasons for the speedy approval was the “great job of the MHRA of working with the company to see that data as it comes in and get things done in parallel, instead of doing it after the other as it would normally ”.
Here are some of the key dates for UK Covid-19 restrictions.
The current lockdown on England ends and the new reinforced tier system takes effect with almost 99% of England targeting the two stricter tiers. Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly are set to enter level 1, with over 32 million people at level 2 and over 23 million at the hardest level 3.
A new restriction goes into effect in Wales. Pubs, restaurants and cafes will be prohibited from serving alcohol and will not be able to open to customers after 6pm. Businesses may offer a takeaway service after 6pm. M. And, if they have a license, they can sell alcohol to go until 10 p.m. M. Bingo halls, bowling alleys, soft play centers, casinos, skating rinks, and arcades will also need to close.
The rule that allows four people from four different households to meet inside pubs and restaurants will be maintained. The decision will be reviewed on December 17.
Ministers will consider data on England’s coronavirus cases on a weekly basis during the tier period, while the legislation requires a formal review of tier assignments every fortnight. The first checkpoint is December 16, with the new level assignments announced the next day, decided by a cabinet committee chaired by the prime minister. They will go into effect on Saturday, December 19, said Boris Johnson.
For five days over Christmas, there will be a relaxation of the rules across the UK to allow up to three households to form a ‘bubble’ so they can mingle socially indoors and stay overnight to enjoy the festive period together. In Scotland, a maximum of eight people will be allowed, but that does not include those under 12. In Northern Ireland, the window has been extended from December 22-28 to allow more travel time between countries.
Johnson has announced a “sunset” clause on the tiered restrictions in England, meaning they will expire on February 3 and require MPs’ approval if they are to be extended through March.
Hancock continued: “The second reason is because, although until the beginning of this year we were in the European Medicines Agency, due to Brexit we were able to make the decision to do so based on the UK regulator, a world class regulator, and not go to the rhythm of the Europeans, who go a little more slowly.
“We run the same security checks and the same processes, but we have been able to accelerate the way they are done thanks to Brexit.”
This notion is also contradicted in UK documents from Hancock’s own department. An October 16 post on the coronavirus vaccine launch notes that the MHRA’s new licensing powers will begin on January 1, 2021, but that the UK may authorize drugs for emergency use.
A November MHRA statement in the wake of the positive trial results for the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine reiterated this, saying that if the UK wanted to go faster than the pace of the EMA before the end of the transition period, “the EU legislation allows the temporary authorization of supply in the United Kingdom, depending on the need for public health ”.
In another interview, with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Hancock said he would agree to a live on-air vaccine to spread the word of the importance of being vaccinated, but only with official permission.
When asked by Piers Morgan if they could both be vaccinated on television, Hancock said, “Well, we would have to approve it because of course there is a prioritization according to clinical need and fortunately as a healthy, average person.” old man, you’re not at the top of the prioritization.
“But if we can get it approved and if people think it’s reasonable, then I’m willing to do it because once the MHRA has approved a vaccine, they only do it if it’s safe.
“If that can help someone else, persuade someone else to get vaccinated, then I think it’s worth it.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Ambassador to Britain Andreas Michaelis responded to an assertion by UK Trade Secretary Alok Sharma that “for years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led the charge. of humanity against this disease ”.
The diplomat said: “Why is it so difficult to recognize this important step forward as a great international effort and success? I really don’t think this is a national story. Although the German company BioNTech has made a crucial contribution, this is European and transatlantic ”.
