EU 19 Countries Share Their Vaccine Allocations with 5 Countries in Urgent Need

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Nineteen member countries of the European Union (EU) have decided to share part of their allocated COVID-19 vaccines with five countries urgently in need.

EU ambassadors reported on the 1st (local time) that after several days of negotiations, they agreed to revise the distribution system within the region, according to major foreign media. This change modifies the previous method of allocation based on population size to prioritize member countries in urgent need of vaccines.

The 19 member countries will give up part of their allocated doses from the 10 million Pfizer vaccine doses supplied in the second quarter of this year, providing 2.85 million doses to Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia. These five countries will also receive their originally allocated doses.

However, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia decided not to participate.

The EU expects vaccine supply to increase in the second quarter of this year. Through this, it is anticipated that at least 70% of adults will be vaccinated by July.

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