March 18, 2021
2 mins read

EU warns of vaccine export curbs

Several European Union (EU) nations have already called for a debate on the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in the bloc.

The EU is facing a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and at present less than a tenth of its population is vaccinated….reports Asian Lite News

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the European Union (EU) might restrict vaccine exports to countries who have higher inoculation rates, stressing the necessity to ensure reciprocity and proportionality of the vaccine exports.

“We are in the crisis of the century, and I’m not ruling out anything for now, because we have to make sure that Europeans are vaccinated as soon as possible,” she told a press conferenceon Wednesday.

The EU is facing a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and at present less than a tenth of its population is vaccinated.

Doris Wildgoose, 99, receives her second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Hyde Leisure Centre in Greater Manchester, Britain, on Jan. 7, 2021. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua/ians)



Around 41 million doses of vaccines have been exported from EU to 33 countries and regions since February 1, von der Leyen said, while accusing the British multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca of having “underproduced and underdelivered” to the bloc, with the original 180 million doses dwindling down to just 70 million.

Row with AstraZeneca

The Commission chief has been under pressure over the EU’s handling of the bloc’s vaccination rollout, with Brussels engaging in a row with AstraZeneca over vaccine deliveries.

The dispute escalated with the EU at one point threatening to override the Brexit agreement with the UK over the Irish border, which came after AstraZeneca had said the initial number of doses it could supply to the EU would be lower than first thought.

“If the situation does not change, we will have to reflect on how to make exports to vaccine-producing countries dependent on their level of openness,” said von der Leyen.

Besides, the EU will also reflect on whether exports to countries who have higher vaccination rates are still proportionate, she added.

Furthermore, she warned that the EU is ready to use whatever tool needed to ensure “Europe gets its fair share”.

Also read:EU’s ‘Green Certificate’ for safe travel

Previous Story

PICS: Raj Kumar during ‘Roohi’ promotion

Next Story

Army chopper crash kills 9 in Afghanistan

Latest from -Top News

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of

India Eyes Supply Chain Shift

India’s electronics manufacturing sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, positioning the country as a major global hub for production and supply chain diversification. Riding on favourable government policies, geopolitical tailwinds, and a

Carney Confirms May 6 White House Visit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Washington on May 6 for a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump, just days after taking office following a contentious federal election. Speaking

Rubio Backs AfD, Slams Berlin

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly criticised Germany for officially classifying the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist organisation, accusing the German government of undermining democracy under

India Bans All Pakistan Imports

In a sharp escalation of diplomatic hostilities, India has banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan with immediate effect, following the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Is another Covid wave on the horizon for India?

Two cases of the new XE variant – a mutant

Global Covid caseload tops 267 mn

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 267 million, while the