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In an update on vaccination dose delivery (17 March), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen singled out AstraZeneca who had “unfortunately” under-produced and under-delivered. She blamed this performance as “painfully” reducing the speed of the EU’s vaccination campaign.
Due to additional transparency provided by the recent export authorization scheme, the EU now has a clearer picture of the situation and is considering the use of additional powers. Von der Leyen has threatened to trigger Art 122, not used since the 1970s oil crisis. She said that this may be raised next week at the European Council of EU heads of government.
In the first quarter of 2021, AstraZeneca was meant to deliver 90 million doses then reduced that amount to 40 million, then 30 million. In the second quarter, AstraZeneca will only deliver 70 million doses, down from the 180 million doses they were contractually committed to deliver.
The UK has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Europe, having administered 37.98 doses per 100 people compared to much lower rates across the EU, ranging from 4.8 per 100 in Bulgaria, to 27 per 100 in Malta. At the same time, the EU has exported more than 40 million doses, over 10 million of them to the UK.
Reciprocity and proportionality
The EU is calling for an approach to exports that is reciprocal and proportional. It is “reflecting” on how to make exports to vaccine-producing countries dependent on their level of openness. So where another country produces vaccines and does not export to the EU, despite receiving EU exports, the EU will review its arrangements.
The second requirement will be whether the EU should allow exports to a country where the importing country has a higher level of vaccination. A kind of proportionality test.
Von der Leyen said: “This is about making sure that Europe gets its fair share. We will invest even further in Europe’s capacity also beyond this acute phase. We are working with trusted companies to ensure long-term supply and these are the messages I will take to the leaders at the next European Council.”
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