UK Prime Minister: "Thanks to Pharma Companies' Greed, Vaccine Distribution Accelerated"... EU-Vaccine Conflict Rekindled

Leak of Conservative Party Private Video Conference Remarks
EU Likely to Strengthen Measures to Prevent Vaccine Exports to UK

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s remarks suggesting collusion with pharmaceutical companies regarding COVID-19 vaccines during a Conservative Party private meeting have sparked international controversy. In response, the EU has announced plans to block vaccine exports to uncooperative countries, including the UK, further intensifying the vaccine conflict between the two sides.

According to the UK daily The Sun on the 23rd (local time), during a virtual Conservative Party private meeting, Prime Minister Johnson stated, "Behind the success of the UK’s vaccine rollout lies the greed of pharmaceutical companies." This remark is interpreted as implying collusion with pharmaceutical companies to prioritize exports to the UK over Europe or other regions. The Sun also reported that Johnson, fearing the fallout from his comment, emphasized immediately afterward, "You must forget that I said this."

The remark was made public shortly after Johnson called European leaders to urge them not to impose export restrictions on vaccines, which escalated diplomatic tensions. The EU strongly opposed the statement and announced it is preparing measures to block the export of vaccines produced within the EU to the UK. According to major foreign media, the European Commission has formulated plans to block vaccine exports to countries that import vaccines from the EU but are uncooperative in exporting vaccines from their own territories. The European Commission is expected to announce these export restriction plans on the 24th.

Earlier this month, the UK and the EU have been in continuous conflict over vaccine supply issues. The EU criticizes the UK for redirecting vaccine doses intended for export to the EU for domestic vaccination, which has widened the vaccination rate gap between the UK and the EU. The UK’s first-dose vaccination rate has already surpassed 50%, while the EU remains in the 10% range.

The company at the center of the conflict is known to be the UK-based AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca is expected to supply only about 30 million doses to the EU in the first quarter, far below the 90 million doses promised. In the second quarter, contrary to the commitment to provide 180 million doses to the EU, it is projected to supply only 70 million doses, putting the EU’s vaccine supply in an emergency situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.