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COVID-19 vaccines could be flown to the UK next year if Brexit trade talks collapse and lead to delays at English Channel crossings.
The government expects to receive millions of doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine by the end of the year, and the first vaccinations will begin this week.
However, the NHS does not expect to vaccinate the majority of people until next year.
The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is produced in Belgium before being transported to the UK and distributed between hospitals.
The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is produced in Belgium
The Road Transport Association warned that if a trade deal between the EU and the UK is not reached by the end of this month, when the Brexit transition period ends, a “significant disruption” of up to 12 months could be seen.
But Foreign Minister James Cleverly told Sky News that the government had plans to “absolutely guarantee” the continued supply of coronavirus vaccines, even in the event of a no-deal outcome.
He told Kay Burley: “We have comprehensive plans to ensure that that vaccine supply is protected.
“As you can imagine, that is the top priority product and we are committed to ensuring that the supply of vaccines reaches the UK.
“We have analyzed the use of non-commercial flights, we have border arrangements.”
Mr. Cleverly did not elaborate on the details of the government’s border plans, but said that “everyone understands the importance of vaccines.”
He added: “People’s lives are at stake.
“I have no doubt that the EU will help us to facilitate their journey, we have our own independent transport plans to guarantee the supply of vaccines.”
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Lots of COVID vaccine arrive at the hospital
When asked if he was fully confident that the EU would help the UK supply COVID vaccines, even if the trade talks ended bitterly, Cleverly said: “I don’t have that degree of cynicism towards the EU.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will speak on Monday night, when they assess whether a trade deal can still be salvaged after months of stalled negotiations.
If a trade deal is not reached by the end of this month, the EU and UK will likely have to negotiate under World Trade Organization rules with tariffs imposed in both directions.
