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WELLINGTON: New Zealand warned on Wednesday (February 3) against “vaccine nationalism” that could delay the launch of international shipments after its drug regulator tentatively approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she still expected supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech product to arrive in the country in late March, but raised concerns about any attempts to limit exports.
“The world simply cannot allow that to happen. We will not be safe until we have a widespread deployment around the world,” he told a news conference.
“So it’s in everyone’s interest that we see vaccine programs continue to develop in other countries.”
Japan’s head of vaccine launch said Tuesday that restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine exports by the European Union were having an impact on supplies to the country.
READ: EU COVID-19 vaccine restrictions may delay Japan’s inoculation campaign
The World Health Organization warned against “hoarding” as a growing number of countries agreed to bilateral agreements to purchase millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
With vaccination campaigns underway in dozens of countries, pressure has increased on Ardern to begin inoculating the country’s 5 million people, even though New Zealand has all but eliminated the virus.
READ: New Zealand tightens COVID-19 quarantine rules as Australia extends ‘travel bubble’ suspension
The provisional approval of the vaccine developed by US pharmaceuticals Pfizer and German BioNTech meant that the country could begin preparations for the first stage of its vaccination implementation, he said.
Those most at risk would be vaccinated first, before the general community starting in the second half of the year.
“I have said that 2021 is the year of the vaccine. It is a full year program that we just started. We are not in a race to be first, but to ensure safe and timely access to vaccines for all New Zealanders,” added. she said.
Ardern’s critics have said New Zealand has lagged behind the rest of the world after promising in November that it would be first in line for COVID-19 vaccines.
New Zealand Health Director Ashley Bloomfield said Medsafe has imposed 58 conditions on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine related to additional manufacturing data and ensuring that information is provided on any safety issues.
Ardern urged New Zealanders to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines became available.
“I will absolutely be vaccinated, my relatives will be vaccinated. But right now I’m not in the order of priority,” he said.
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