Germany saying AZ vaccine only 8% effective in over 65s *MNHQ noting that this story has been widely debunked*

[dbIdb]

What fresh hell is this.

Why, why, why was the Oxford trial/data reporting so sloppy?

How has it come to this??

What is happeni ng in Hungary with the Russian vaccine,? Is it authorised ?

Germany have certainly been able to have a separate order of the Pfizer so it's not ordering outside the group that's an issue.

My family in UK are happy to have had the vaccine despite some black humour around it. I wish my relations in Ireland had the same option.

@Wildswim

"Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told broadcaster VRT News last month: “In the UK, they have started vaccination earlier, that's correct.

“But they have used their population as guinea pigs over there, and they have opted not to do these extra tests.”

From an article on Dublin live.

What extra tests?

Isn’t the bigger issue that delivery cannot happen before contract is met - this includes EMA approval

Seems like AZ will finally attend the meeting
www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-astrazeneca-mee-idUSKBN29W19P

@sashagabadon we cannot share vaccine with ROI because the EU hasn’t signed it off yet and they have also specifically told Ireland they are unable to pre-order. Sadly true.

@Mrex. Read the articles. Germany, France, Italy and Netherlands DID try to do a deal with AstraZeneca alongside the U.K. so they could be on the same timescale. But they were stopped from doing so by the EU. Who then took over and signed the same deal 3 months later.

[quote Blessex]@Mrex. Read the articles. Germany, France, Italy and Netherlands DID try to do a deal with AstraZeneca alongside the U.K. so they could be on the same timescale. But they were stopped from doing so by the EU. Who then took over and signed the same deal 3 months later.[/quote]
Reading this.. I couldn’t bare that.

Glad we opted out.

Bear!

@MRex and this avoidable event of the week is rather bigger than just this weeks event. This is the event of the year.

Meanwhile, according to the FT (paywalled), Sanofi is thinking about helping with Pfizer vaccine production in the summer, and will have a vaccine candidate in Phase 2 in the next few weeks.....

*What extra tests?

Isn’t the bigger issue that delivery cannot happen before contract is met - this includes EMA approval*

Yes, it's just nonsense and bluster about 'extra tests' from the Belgian Prime minister - more smear campaign by a politician toeing the EU line.

The Irish government and media, always pro-EU, have been very quiet on all of this.

@Wildswim

*What extra tests?

Isn’t the bigger issue that delivery cannot happen before contract is met - this includes EMA approval*

Yes, it's just nonsense and bluster about 'extra tests' from the Belgian Prime minister - more smear campaign by a politician toeing the EU line.

The Irish government and media, always pro-EU, have been very quiet on all of this.

Completely agree. Bluster indeed

‘Guinea pigs’ is irritating too. I won’t dwell on it as it’s clear the vaccine is in high demand and not getting the order is bugging them.

Nicola Sturgeon has also gone rather quiet about the EU leaving the light on for them to join the fiasco.

[quote Blessex]@sashagabadon we cannot share vaccine with ROI because the EU hasn’t signed it off yet and they have also specifically told Ireland they are unable to pre-order. Sadly true.[/quote]
The EU also didn't sign off on the Russian Sputnik vaccine but Hungary has still ordered doses. If GB were to share vaccine doses with Ireland - which would be a good thing I think - the EU could not stop them from doing so.

That might be a space to watch...

You've answered my query IcedPurple re Hungary, thanks.

@IcedPurple how have Hungary managed that then? Did they just stick two fingers up to the EU? Have Ireland done the same?

If Ireland do the same that is up to them but I don’t think they have done that yet.

Ireland can’t get delivery if the ones they’ve ordered already as it’s not approved by EMA and that is part of contract. Even ordering separately they’d need this condition removed

But is Russian one approved by EMA?

[quote Blessex]@IcedPurple how have Hungary managed that then? Did they just stick two fingers up to the EU? Have Ireland done the same?[/quote]
Regarding Hungary, basically yes.

Not the first time they've stuck two fingers up to the EU.

I'm puzzled by the Italian situation. From what I've read it was the Italian PM Conte who threatened to sue AZ but hasn't he now resigned? And the AZ CEO interview was in La Repubblica (which is Italian) which may or may not be linked. I find it bizarre really. If I were an EU country I'd keep quiet and let the EU (rightly) take the flak for this.

@MarshaBradyo

Ireland can’t get delivery if the ones they’ve ordered already as it’s not approved by EMA and that is part of contract. Even ordering separately they’d need this condition removed

But is Russian one approved by EMA?

But if GB had excess doses and wanted to give some to Ireland because of the CTA, I don't think the EU could stop them, could they? As that arrangement would be outside of the one reached with the EU.

Iced they could but it would need a separate contract I reckon, not a lawyer!

Which is fine but both parties would have to remove that EMA approval is needed before completion

I don’t know what the rules are for EU members taking vaccines that don’t have EMA approval

@IcedPurple I am not sure the government will be giving any spare jabs to Ireland when there are still millions of vulnerable people in the U.K. still to jab.

@Blessex

Nicola Sturgeon has also gone rather quiet about the EU leaving the light on for them to join the fiasco.

Oh I so want her pressed for a comment. About time the journalists did something useful in all this.

Hmm at leave the light on... just let us get these vaccines done first thanks