Australia seeks EU assurance over jabs supply

AUSTRALIA is seeking assurances from the European Union’s executive arm that future shipments of vaccines will not be blocked, after Italy banned a large export of the Astrazeneca coronavirus shots.

The shipment to Australia of more than 250,000 doses was blocked from leaving the 27-nation bloc – the first use of an export control system instituted by the EU to make sure big pharmaceutical firms respect their EU contracts.

The ban was requested by Italian authorities and approved by the EU in a move that frustrated the Australian government.

According to Australian media, Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked the European Commission to review the Italian decision.

Finance Minister

Simon Birmingham said yesterday: “We are obviously disappointed and frustrated by this decision. It is very much a reminder of the desperation that exists in other parts of the world, compared with the very good position we found ourselves in here in Australia.”

He conceded, however, that Australia received 300,000 doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine last week, and “that will see our current distribution plan work”.

Australia’s immunisation programme began last month and the government expects the vaccine will be made available to anyone who wants it by October.