EU extends Covid vaccine export controls

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Meanwhile, the first aircraft carrying UNICEF lifesaving medical supplies arrived in Kabul through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) Airbridge, the UN agency said…reports Asian Lite News.

The European Union is extending an export control mechanism to monitor and potentially limit the export of Covid-19 vaccines from the bloc until December 31 from the current deadline of end-September, media reported.

The mechanism, launched in January this year will restrict vaccine makers from exporting the doses produced in the EU without approval from the bloc.

According to report, the only time the export mechanism was used to block vaccine exports was in April, when around 250,000 AstraZeneca doses for Australia were ordered held back.

Meanwhile, the first aircraft carrying UNICEF lifesaving medical supplies arrived in Kabul through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) Airbridge, the UN agency said.

“These medical supplies come at a critical time for children and mothers in Afghanistan as they face an escalating health and nutrition crisis,” said Herve Ludovic De Lys, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “We thank the EU for their support to ensure children and mothers can receive the basic health services they require.”

A UNICEF release stated that 32 metric tonnes containing essential drugs, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics, medical and surgical supplies were flown in on Wednesday covering the needs of 100,000 children and women for the next three months.

The supplies touch down as health facilities across Afghanistan face serious shortages of supplies and medications.

This is the first of two consignments planned to be flown into Kabul via the ECHO Airbridge in the coming days. (with inputs from ANI)

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