A really interesting, calm interview with the head of AstraZeneca

[HelloThereMeHearties]

This is really worth reading, to shed some light on the whole sorry EU vaccine mess. It's in English.

Also really interesting about the mechanics of vaccine rollout.

www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/01/26/news/interview_pascal_soriot_ceo_astrazeneca_coronavirus_covid_vaccines-284349628/

The EU is not showing itself in a good light over this. I can see more countries wanting to make the move away from it like the UK in the near future.

I don't know if it will cause more countries to leave, but the EU has certainly behaved appallingly over the last few days.

As he says at the end (he is French): And for Europe to say they are going to control exports is the contrary to what they said a few months ago, that they were going to give access to everybody

The EU are not used to this much scrutiny, their systems are slow and beaurocratic, they negotiated the price down, and now they're trying to blame the British. Nice. They haven't even approved the British drug yet, that they are complaining about not getting enough of!

That's a fascinating article and answers so many questions.

Thanks - v interesting article

And what a heartie article that was , fabulous article thank you.

Cool, calm... Measured... I'm feel much better after reading that soothing tonic.

thanks for posting is indeed very helpful

So glad you liked it! I found it very reassuring, too! And just really interesting about global rollout.

Thank you that is really interesting

The U.K. was fortuitous in that funding was already agreed, and construction had begun on the Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre VMIC this was all done prior to COVID even being a thing. It was intended for research into zika / ebola/ flu etc. The project was accelerated and up and running 18 months prior to the planned date in response to the pandemic.

It’s an interesting and felicitous coincidence

An interesting blog from Dec 18. The U.K. was actually in a fantastic place when it comes to the research and development of vaccines

Very interesting and informative, thank you.

@Handsnotwands

The U.K. was fortuitous in that funding was already agreed, and construction had begun on the Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre VMIC this was all done prior to COVID even being a thing. It was intended for research into zika / ebola/ flu etc. The project was accelerated and up and running 18 months prior to the planned date in response to the pandemic.

It’s an interesting and felicitous coincidence

It's not a coincidence. Or "fortuitous". It was planned. For future, unknown pandemics. Hence their ability to adapt quickly. We're good at this stuff in the UK. The MHRA is one of the most respected in the world, as well. And, as we discovered, one of the speediest

@Handsnotwands

An interesting blog from Dec 18. The U.K. was actually in a fantastic place when it comes to the research and development of vaccines

That's fascinating too, thanks! Shall send it to DH.

I'm still very very sorry that we left the EU. But yes, this is a right mess. The "copes" I'm seeing from some very very pro EU people* to justify the glacial pace of the European rollout are getting embarrassing.

*I am pro-remain too, but I think we should have stayed in the EU and helped reform it. The EU definitely has some issues, and we are seeing them all here.

Very interesting, thank you for sharing.

Also, and I'm a fully paid up Europhile and remainer, but the EU has behaved very badly on this.

I remember seeing him interviewed earlier in the pandemic and being impressed and reassured by him then.

It’s interesting he says the 50-70 year groups are one of the most important to vaccinate.

🤷🏼‍♀️ Considering the backdrop of general shit show that the U.K. usually operates against I think it is a fortuitous coincidence that a huge amount of funding had been agreed and planning had already been done shortly (in bureaucratic) terms before a pandemic actually occurred in our own back yard.

He comes across very well. Keeping his head in difficult times.

To be fair, my understanding is that all EU countries had the option of sorting vaccines themselves. I bet they’re pissed, but they could have had more agency if they’d chosen to.

Tempers are running high for obvious reasons. I’m sure everyone will be calmer in a day or two.

Also the EU needs to focus on approving the fricking thing on Friday. First things first and all that.

I'm pretty sure AZ had to apply to the EMA for approval. I can't help thinking that, were I in their shoes, I would simply withdraw the application til all the threats of legal action had calmed down.

I can't help thinking that, were I in their shoes, I would simply withdraw the application til all the threats of legal action had calmed down.

Possibly better to take the moral high ground. They know they’re in the right.

Thank you for sharing this. This mirrors what the Spectator has been saying but with more depth. I’ve been waiting for the BBC to dig into the facts for us, but it’s just lots of shallow opinions. Lazy journalism.

It’s so important to understand the facts. We may have more pandemics, and it’s good to understand how important setting up the supply chain is. As voters, we need to have the facts of how things are working or not working so we can choose the best leaders. All these human interest stories are exhausting and not much use.

He comes across very well. Keeping his head in difficult times

Yes @TheKeatingFive, I was amazed at the good humour he seems to be taking it all in - especially considering that Italy is going to sue them, or whatever! I mean obviously they aren't, because they haven't got a leg to stand on, but this CEO is in the eye of the storm and seems to be a very steady, reassuring hand.

[quote HelloThereMeHearties]This is really worth reading, to shed some light on the whole sorry EU vaccine mess. It's in English.

Also really interesting about the mechanics of vaccine rollout.

www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/01/26/news/interview_pascal_soriot_ceo_astrazeneca_coronavirus_covid_vaccines-284349628/[/quote]
Thanks ! Really long one but really good to read what’s going on

This article isn't showing as a clicky link for me, can anyone signpost me to where I can find it please?

Of course we should also praise Kate Bingham, who was put in charge of UK vaccine procurement. And the people who realised she would be a good hire.