Vaccine producers 'must honour obligations', von der Leyen says amid export threat

26 January 2021, 06:08 | Updated: 26 January 2021, 16:25

Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the World Economic Forum
Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the World Economic Forum. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

Vaccine producers “must honour their obligations”, Ursula von der Leyen has declared as the EU threatens to impose tight controls on the export of coronavirus vaccines made in the bloc.

It comes after the EU lashed out at AstraZeneca on Monday over a shortfall of doses for member states.

The bloc accused the pharmaceutical company of failing to guarantee delivery of coronavirus vaccines without valid explanation, and this led to the threat to impose tight export controls within days on Covid-19 vaccines manufactured in the region.

The row continued in Tuesday, with European Commission chief Ms von der Leyen telling the virtual World Economic Forum: "Europe invested billions to help develop the world's first Covid-19 vaccines. And now, the companies must deliver. They must honour their obligations."

The UK government has said it is in "close contact" with suppliers amid the row, as controls on vaccines would affect the Belgium-manufactured Pfizer jab.

EU threatens to impose tight controls on the export of coronavirus vaccines

European health commissioner Stella Kyriakides accused pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which worked with Oxford University on the vaccine's development, of failing to give a valid explanation for failing to deliver doses to the bloc.

Warning the EU "will take any action required to protect its citizens and rights", she said in a broadcast address that an "export transparency mechanism" will be installed "as soon as possible".

"In the future, all companies producing vaccines against Covid-19 in the EU will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export vaccines to third countries," she said.

Collaboration will alleviate vaccine hesitancy, SAGE member suggests

But the UK Government remained confident that vaccine supply, with the AstraZeneca jab largely being made in Oxfordshire and Staffordshire, will ensure it meets its first target.

A spokeswoman said: "We remain in close contact with all of our vaccine suppliers.

"Our vaccine supply and scheduled deliveries will fully support offering the first dose to all four priority groups by February 15."

Earlier on Monday, Ms Kyriakides criticised AstraZeneca's decision to slow supplies of its vaccine as "unacceptable".

Read more: Moderna says its vaccine 'works against UK and South Africa Covid variants'

Read more: Govt will 'look at potential' of easing lockdown rules within weeks - PM

The pharmaceutical company announced on Friday it could not meet agreed supply targets, just weeks after Pfizer also announced supply delays.

An AstraZeneca spokesman said the company was doing everything it could to bring its vaccine to millions of Europeans "as soon as possible".

Meanwhile, on Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that nearly four in five people aged 80 and above have received their first dose of the Covid vaccine.

The health secretary said he was "very proud" to confirm that the UK has given a jab to 78.7 per cent of all its over-80s.

However, he told the Downing Street coronavirus press briefing that supply remains "tight" due to the rate-limiting factor.

The Cabinet minister also said progress towards vaccinating the top four priority groups by 15 February is "on track".

He confirmed that 6.6 million had now received a jab, more than one in nine of the adult population, and, in the last week, 2.5 million got a vaccine, at a rate of more than 250 people per minute.

Mr Hancock told the briefing: "We're on track to offer everyone in the top four priority groups a jab by 15 February."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Palestinians carry boxes containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Hamas tells Gazans facing food shortages to stay away from US-linked aid deliveries

The Harvard University logo is displayed on a building at the school, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass.

Germany offers ‘exile campus’ to Harvard students after foreigner ban

Water St the morning after the tragic events just after the LFC trophy parade when a car was driven into the crowd injuring at least 50 people

Liverpool crash victim ‘pleaded with driver to stop’ before car mowed him down as motorist arrested for attempted murder

One in ten women say they have been spat on while running, a new study reveals.

'Hurtful and traumatising': Rise in men 'spitting' on women runners in disturbing new form of street harassment

Gayanne Potter told LBC she feels "absolutely sick".

Leading voiceover artist ‘violated’ by ScotRail AI announcements using her voice without 'permission'

The popular club's licence has been suspended following allegations that a woman was raped by a security guard in the vicinity of the venue

Heaven security guard accused of raping teenager was 'not permitted to work in UK' and 'used false ID to get job'

RFK Jr said that Covid-19 shots would be removed from the recommendations for certain groups.

Robert F Kennedy Jr drops Covid vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women - slamming lack of 'clinical data'

Rebecca Turner, 36, was found dead in Bangkok with her partner, Sam Melnick, in 2024.

Mother of British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel after 'unwitting hit of drugs' alleges Thai police ‘cover-up’

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will star as Hermione, Harry and Ron in the new Harry Potter TV series.

Harry Potter and the new cast revealed: First pic of child stars ahead of TV series

Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (posing with former footballer Alan Hansen and the Premier League trophy) sent a message of support to victims of the crash

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk ‘praying for speedy recovery’ for those hurt in parade crash

(Clockwise from top left) Indigo Rumbelow, Leanorah Ward, Daniel Knorr and Margaret Reid

Four Just Stop Oil activists jailed over plot to disrupt Manchester Airport

The runaway couple went off-grid in early 2023 in an alleged attempt to stop their newborn baby being removed from their care.

Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten’s partner 'attacked' officers on post-natal ward while trying to 'escape'

Footage shows the driver reverse into a fan, which leads two spectators to punch and kick the car whilst it moves back and forth

Driver ‘followed ambulance through roadblock’ before Liverpool crash as man, 53, arrested on suspicion of ‘drug driving’

Footage shows the driver reverse into a fan, which leads two spectators to punch and kick the car whilst it moves back and forth

Moment Liverpool horror begins to unfold after driver 'tailgated ambulance'

Dozens were left injured after the car drove into football fans who were celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory

King and Queen share 'deep shock' over Liverpool parade crash as William and Kate also tell of their sadness

Passengers on airlines in Turkey may receive a fine for standing up too early on the plane.

Holidaymakers to be fined $70 for standing up to get luggage while plane lands in airline crackdown