Forum Topic

EU and AstraZeneca

I am puzzled by the argument between the EU and AstraZeneca.The EU signed a contract with AstraZeneca in August 2020 (??? was there a vaccine then?) for 300 million doses, with an option of 100 million more.Last week, AstraZeneca said it was having problems with production in Belgium and The Netherlands.  This meant that the initial supply of the vaccine to the EU in the first quarter of 2021 would be cut by 60%!Italy is one of the EU countries saying it will sue AstraZeneca.Pfizer/BioNTech, which produces the vaccine in the EU, is experiencing similar delays.  It also indicated, after AstraZeneca's announcement, it will supply the UK with fewer vaccines than originally specified. The BBC's article on this is entitled "EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses". However, the very first paragraph of the article says:  "The EU has urged pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to supply it with more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine from UK plants, amid a row over shortages."https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55822602Does anyone know what the shortages are? Will these shortages affect production in the UK?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1917d17 Comments

Is there an irony if the EU had to import vaccines from those countries? All have some sophisticates technology industries. India and the UAE have advanced space programmes, with India having launch capabilities; we outsource  a lot of IT to India and don't they run much of out steel industry? India and Israel have nuclear technology, Israel is well known for its IT security technology and the UAE has developments in that area as well. Perhaps we souldn't be too "west" centric whether it's the EU, UK - or US?

Michael Ixer ● 1915d

Thank you Gabrielle for the explanation; in fact, that is what I understand too but I suppose not knowing what is in the contract, the questions keep coming!All the manufacturers of the different vaccines in the EU are having production issues.The reduction by AstraZeneca for the delivery to the EU by March 2021 is massive though, 60%!I get the feeling that the EU believe the UK is "playing up", for some reason.I doubt the UK is, or will be, stockpiling the vaccine as there is a shortage of vaccines in the UK too.  My husband received a text message from our surgery offering the vaccine.  The same day he received it, he phoned them to make an appointment. They said they could not give him an appointment because there was (is?) a shortage of the vaccine and that they would contact him once it became available.  Not a peep yet!I am not too sure why the UAE and Israel should be giving vaccines to the EU.  Do they have a contract for this, do you know?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1915d

"It would be somewhat ironic if the UAE and Israel had to send vaccines to the EU."Not forgetting India!

Patricia Poulter ● 1915d

Well a bit of information, Daily Mail 70p Daily Express 75p. That went up 5p without telling anybody unless I missed something.

Barbara Stevens ● 1915d

Yeh I wouldn't expect them to I just struggle to see why we would  be expected to and not other countries who are also doing well on the vaccine front!

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1915d

I think you are right Gabrielle, the UK ordered its vaccines 3 months ahead of the EU.The UAE is mainly using the Sinopharm vaccine, a "dead" vaccine which stimulates the immune system, unlike the MRNA Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.  It would be somewhat ironic if the UAE and Israel had to send vaccines to the EU.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 1915d

EU entered into a contract with AZ 3 months after UK.AZ are using Belgium plant (as well as UK plants to supply the vaccine to the UK).Given production issues they're reducing what they beleive they can get to EU by March.EU seem to think that they should give EU some rather than stockpiling the UK.I'm not party to the contracts and surely this is purely a legal contract.If the same terms and nothing was inputted into the contract about ensuring equal delivery numbers between UK/EU or not using EU plant for UK vaccine then surely it's just a case of who ordered first we supply first.Now there is a global kindness point to overlay but then UAE and Israel should also be giving vaccines to the EU.It's a lot of he says she says without being party to the contract.

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1915d

Just to back up my comment about the Guardian's coverage of Assange, a quick Google search shows that this month alone it reported on the case on 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 January, with the 5 January reference being an editorial as well as a report.

Richard Carter ● 1915d

@Ivonne"Sue!!!!!  You checked the Guardian???????Please, pass me the salts!!!"Sorry if that gave you a funny turn. 😲 Did you clutch your pearls as well?  Hope you've recovered. xx 😉

Sue Hammond ● 1915d

"It is a sad fact that the Mail on Sunday has highlighted issues more than the Guardian concerning our liberty recently.The political prison[er] Julian Assange being one such case but there are several others."Eh? There has been lots of coverage on the Assange case in the Guardian, what are the others it has supposedly ignored?

Richard Carter ● 1915d

My understanding is that AZ has pledged to supply the vaccine on a non-for-profit basis, though of course I may be wrong.I don't understand why the EU is getting its knickers in a twist if the thing is such rubbish Germany won't use it on the over 65s, the group most vulnerable to Covid. Why would they want it?I'm relying on Nicola to reveal the whole truth.A friend in York and another in South Northants have already had the AZ jab.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 1915d

"There's the usual Guardian begging for donations at the end lol.😹"It is a sad fact that the Mail on Sunday has highlighted issues more than the Guardian concerning our liberty recently.The political prison Julian Assange being one such case but there are several others.The opposition are also notably absent on many issues.Our democracy relies on a the press yet much is owner by companies/trusts or individuals who are not resident in the UK.It is a sign of the times (excuse the pun) that lefties have to look to the FT (Japanese owned paper) for some balance.

Ed Robinson ● 1916d

Sue!!!!!  You checked the Guardian???????Please, pass me the salts!!!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1916d

This could be another reason why the EU is so peed off.  The report was in the Guardian yesterday but not one devotee on here posted it....I wonder why not?🤔 There's the usual Guardian begging for donations at the end lol.😹French self-esteem hit after Pasteur Institute abandons Covid vaccine | World news | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/26/french-self-esteem-hit-after-pasteur-institute-abandons-covid-vaccine

Sue Hammond ● 1916d

France and germany ?Dont think we are adversarial in this, indeed Boris has been very careful NOT to stoke the fires, much to the disappointment of the press who are trying desperately to get him to speak out of turn.This is a matter between the EU and the manufacturer. Not sure how they demand early delivery of a drug they have not even approved yet.

Andy Pike ● 1916d

I agree.  The article mentions the AstraZeneca difficulties in Belgium and the Netherlands.  Of course, contracts are commercial secrets....But EU buying 300 million doses of the vaccine in August 2020?It feels to me as if this has become a political issue between two adversaries???? I do not wish to believe that AstraZeneca is claiming delays in the EU manufacturing plants on purpose.  What purpose would that be?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1916d

I think there's a lot of noise from shouting and foot stamping which is drowning out the facts. My understanding is that Pfizer has reduced output to enable changes to its production facilities so it can then increase its output. I think AstraZeneca is having some issues with its two European manufacturing plants which is slowing output, while its UK plants are operating at the expected level. As far as I know the details of contracts are commercial secrets ... 

Michael Ixer ● 1916d