The European threat to veto vaccine exports is logical, but dangerous. The European Commission is discussing with the UK the quantities of AstraZeneca produced in a small factory in the Netherlands. If the UK does not give up, the camp may impose a more damaging brake on other vaccines. Although a fight is possible, a fight can have long-term side effects.
Dispute between European Commission and UK centers Agrees to supply vaccines to both EU and UK at a Dutch plant run by Hollix, a sub-contractor for AstraZeneca. Since the confiscation of Dutch vaccines does little to speed up the use of vaccines from the EU, it has so far only vaccinated 12.7% of a population. Nor does it help that the vaccine in question is getting the worst rap on the continent.
Europe may go even further. The Commission maintains an explicit threat to ban exports to Britain of other vaccines such as Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. It will be very powerful: a ban until the end of this year will release more than enough drugs to vaccinate more than 15% of the European population, according to our calculations, based on the advice of Airfinity.
This will have a huge impact on the UK. Britain is expected to receive 16.5 million doses of Pfizer treatment by August, estimated from the EU alone. Stopping all exports until June will delay the UK herd from reaching immunity, and Airfinity is counting on a place to stop the spread of the virus until August. Over-reliance on Astrogeneneka will expose the UK to more new varieties.
Britain could retaliate by threatening to block the export of Pfizer, a key ingredient in the vaccine. But it could cause damage beyond Europe because many Pfizer sizes made in Europe are exported internationally. Britain is now proposing to share the output of the Dutch factory. But Europe may demand more: after all, it can keep drugs from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
Both sides may come to a fight, but the vaccine war will have long-term consequences. India is already facing the UK slower than expected, and the US has stopped exporting needles to the EU.
Now, European supply chains are falling apart. In the future, governments will want to produce as many vaccines as possible in their region. This will increase costs and slow down treatment.
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Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.