EU "Ban on Vaccine Exports Until Contracted Quantities Are Supplied"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The European Union (EU) announced on the 25th (local time) that it will restrict exports until AstraZeneca supplies the initially promised quantity.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said at a press conference immediately after the summit of the 27 member states, "AstraZeneca must honor its contracts with EU member states before resuming vaccine exports."

Amid growing concerns over vaccine supply shortages and slow vaccination rates, the EU introduced a system on January 30 requiring pharmaceutical companies to obtain approval from member states before exporting COVID-19 vaccines produced within the EU to outside regions.

Despite these measures, vaccine shortages continued, prompting the EU to strengthen export approval regulations yesterday to ensure pharmaceutical companies have sufficiently supplied vaccines to member states. According to the European Commission, Europe has received 88 million doses of vaccines so far. Considering the pre-purchased amount is 2.6 billion doses, this is a very small quantity.

President von der Leyen pointed out, "If all pharmaceutical companies had complied with their contracts, vaccinations could have proceeded much faster," adding, "AstraZeneca allocated fewer vaccines than the contracted amount." According to major foreign media reports, this measure is likely to include not only AstraZeneca but also Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which recently notified delays in second-quarter supplies.

The EU rebutted criticism that these measures represent 'vaccine nationalism.' President von der Leyen stated, "Since December 1 last year, 77 million vaccine doses have been exported outside the EU," adding, "Of these, the United Kingdom accounted for 21 million doses."

Major member states such as France, Italy, and Germany expressed their support. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized after the summit, "The naive days are over," and stressed, "Exports must be fully restricted unless pharmaceutical companies respect their promises to the EU."

On the other hand, Belgium and Ireland, where vaccine production facilities are located, voiced concerns, according to dpa news agency. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, "Export restrictions will soon be used indiscriminately, leaving only losers, and the losers will be our citizens who will receive vaccines later."

Meanwhile, major foreign media reported on the same day that Novavax delayed signing a supply contract with the EU due to difficulties in procuring raw materials for its vaccine. With manufacturers such as AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson announcing supply delays one after another, the EU is facing increased difficulties in securing vaccines.

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