The European Union has confirmed that it is introducing export controls for coronavirus vaccines made in the region, amid a lack of jabs delivery.
“The safety and security of our citizens is paramount and the challenges we now face have left us with no choice but to take action,” the European Commission said.
Supply Shortage
The EU has a public dispute with drug manufacturer AstraZeneca over coronavirus vaccine.
The bloc is under increasing pressure due to the slow distribution of the vaccine.
The Commission earlier made public a disputed contract with the company to bolster its argument that AstraZeneca is failing to fulfil its promises.
Announcing export controls, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said the measures were being introduced to ensure that all EU citizens have access to immunizations, and to ensure that all parties are playing by the same rules.
“This approach is built on trust, transparency and responsibility,” she said.
“Commitments need to be kept, and agreements are binding. Advance purchase agreements need to be respected.
“Today, we have developed a system which will allow us to know whether vaccines are being exported from the EU. This increased transparency will also come with a responsibility for the EU to authorise, with our members states, these vaccine exports.”
