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The European Commission says the message to vaccine manufacturers is very clear and asks them to do everything possible to fulfill the contracts they have signed with the EU bloc. The statement, made by an EU spokesperson, comes after Italy blocked an export of AstraZeneca vaccines. It is the first time that the EU has activated this mechanism, but it is most likely not the only one. France announced on Friday that it could follow Italy’s lead, CNN reports.
“The message is very clear. We hope that the companies with which the European Union has signed advanced vaccine purchase agreements will do everything possible to comply with the delivery contracts they have with the Member States,” said Eric Mamer, spokesman for the EC, after Italy blocked the export of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. to Australia.
“The truth is that the European Union is a major exporter of vaccines. We have had intense discussions with the company to ensure compliance with the delivery schedule, since the EMA has authorized this vaccine and we urge Member States to use it, ”added the spokesperson.
Mamer said it was not the EU’s job to tell the company where the doses should go, adding that they remained in the possession of AstraZeneca.
“Our job is to say that the Italian authorities have made a decision that we have supported in terms of exports, because it is necessary to advance in terms of delivery to EU countries, and that is practically the discussion that we will continue to have with the company”, Mamer added.
France announced on Friday that it could follow Italy’s lead by blocking exports of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Of course, I understand what Italy has done. We could do the same,” French Health Minister Olivier Veran said in an interview for BFM TV.
“We are talking closely with the Italians and other European partners, in order to have a common approach on this issue,” added the French minister.
The EU and AstraZenecca had a dispute in January after the company announced that it would deliver fewer doses than promised.
The European Commission has then adopted new measures that give Member States the power to restrict the export of vaccines outside the EU bloc in certain situations.
Italy justified the blocking of exports to Australia by citing delays in the delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Italy and the EU and noting that Australia is not considered by the EU as a nation “vulnerable” to COVID-19.
Australian authorities said on Friday they were “disappointed and frustrated” after the European Union blocked the export of 250,000 doses of vaccine.
Editing: Monica Bonea
