EU threatening to cut off supply of vaccines to UK

[Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady]

Because they've not got enough apparently (despite the fact that they've got a shit load of AZ stockpiled because they've mostly stopped using it)

This is really starting to piss me off now, and has someone who is due 2nd Pfizer jab in 8 weeks in starting to worry I won't get it!

They're threatening to stop supply to USA too.

Wankers

www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/ursula-von-der-leyen-threatens-cut-off-covid-exports-uk-b924652.html

[quote ScribblingPixie]The US is sending its spare AZ vaccines to Mexico and Canada only.

www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-to-send-vaccine-stockpile-to-mexico-canada-dashing-eu-hopes-1.4513964[/quote]
This makes sense from a public health standpoint. We have thousands of miles of borders with Mexico and Canada and constant traffic crossing those borders.

Even after those doses are given to Mexico and Canada we still have about 3 million in stock and presumably, production continues. We may not really need the AZ vaccine since we have three currently approved and Novavax coming shortly. I think some of those AZ doses will probably find their way to the EU at some point. I suspect the EU threat to start seizing vaccine production facilities in Europe didn't help their position.

Mr Macron is not up to anything and there's nothing confusing about the announcement.

FWIW, seen from the French side of the channel;

1. The French authorities have looked at what the results of what the Brits have done so far have and on the basis of that are now happy to administer the AZ product to the > 65, s (so thank you for paving the way)

1. Studies elsewhere in europe still seem to show that there is a slightly tiny elevated risk of thrombosis problems with the AZ in some below 55.

So decision made to not use AZ on the under 55 ATM but allow it on over 65s.

Sounds to me, how do you say it, "following the science/data", some of which is derived from hard work done in the UK..I don't see what's confusing about it?

I'm surprised uk was getting vaccines from India as that's clearly outside of thier supply chain .

Huh?

India is one of the biggest producers of generic drugs in the world!

I would be interested to hear how the EU intend to cut off supplies. Would they be stopped at the ports? Or do they intend entering the factories and taking the stock?

@notrub

I'm surprised uk was getting vaccines from India as that's clearly outside of thier supply chain .

Huh?

India is one of the biggest producers of generic drugs in the world!

They're the biggest actually. Decades ago the Indian government encouraged the development of the pharmaceutical industry as a way to drive economic growth. Most of the generics in the US come from either India or Israel.

Macron and his experts are officially Muppets

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

Macron and his experts are officially Muppets

You clearly don't understand how the system works, I'll help you out..

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_France#:~:text=The%20constitutional%20attributions%20of%20the,the%20continuity%20of%20the%20State.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_France

We buy tons of drugs from India. They are great at pharmaceuticals.

I would be interested to hear how the EU intend to cut off supplies. Would they be stopped at the ports? Or do they intend entering the factories and taking the stock?

'Requisitioning' factories producing using an article (22) last used in the 1970s is basically raiding them for vaccines and working as a rogue state. It will seen by the rest of the world as an appalling development, one that could destabilise not just the vaccines but all trade.

It is the most dangerous announcement to come out of the EU to date, and shows the lengths they are going to preserve the commission. Make no mistake, if they do actually go ahead with this, then that could spark a chain reaction with incredibly serious consequences.

An adult needs to move in, and take charge of the EU before it is too late. VDL is acting like a deranged dictator.

Requisitioning is basically 'taking control' of vaccine production on the ground. It is a very hostile thing to do - unthinkable if I did not hear VDL say it myself I would never have believed it was possible.

Not from a so called democratic continent like Europe. It is literally unthinkable, and the consequences to that action will be enormous for sure.

@notimagain No idea what that was about?

I am refering to this

www.thelocal.fr/20210319/france-resumes-astrazeneca-vaccination-but-recommends-it-for-over-55s-only/

Sorry I wasn't clear

But Macron isn’t following the science, he wasn’t when he said it was quazzi ineffective for the over 65’s, nor is he now as there is no proven link the vaccine caused the rare blood clots and even if there were, we’re talking less than 50 in 17 million people, in those less than 50, it was mostly women but he hasn’t stopped women in that age bracket from having AZ, it makes no sense.

Macron's decisions have been based so far away from the science as to be ridiculed by the French equivalent of SAGE whom have complained bitterly that is now a self appointed covid expert and won't listen to them! They have been calling for a lockdown since January to no avail.

The man is a danger to France, and to the rest of us with his stupidity!

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/19/eu-astrazeneca-vaccine-stance-spain-europe-covid

France have already convicted one ex president recently. Is there a charge Macron can be done for with all this?

(Yes I know Boris is equally guilty with his decision but at least he does listen to SAGE a percentage of the time)

Sounds to me, how do you say it, "following the science/data", some of which is derived from hard work done in the UK..I don't see what's confusing about it?

No @notimagain, M Macron is not following the science. He wasn't following the science when he came out with the preposterous statement that the AZ vaccine was "quasi-ineffective" in the over 65s. And he wasn't following the science (or the EMA) when he paused the AZ vaccine rollout.

M Macron never follows the science when he thinks he can make some political points, and never mind that he's damaging confidence in a very safe, effective vaccine along the way

@Itsalonghaul

Requisitioning is basically 'taking control' of vaccine production on the ground. It is a very hostile thing to do - unthinkable if I did not hear VDL say it myself I would never have believed it was possible.

She's said and done a lot of unthinkable things this year... after lecturing us all last year in her State Of The EU address about how awful vaccine nationalism is...

I’m just gutted for European citizens.

What they are thinking l cannot imagine. Do they hate Britain? Frustration at Macron? Want AstraZeneca?

It’s such a mess. I really feel for them.

I just can’t see how Tourism can open in the summer with this going off.

Spain is considering removing it from young women and using it for over 65s

M Macron never follows the science when he thinks he can make some political points, and never mind that he's damaging confidence in a very safe, effective vaccine along the way angry

TBH what I do find interesting this PM is that despite the French have very much relaxed restrictions the obsession continues with discussing Mr Macron, (not sure why), and that there's barely a mention of the fact that three Scandinavian nations have decided to retain much more stringent restrictions or bans on the use of AZ than the French.....

Any thoughts on that or will it be the standard Pavlovianesque response be "ah but Macron"?

@notimagain can I ask are you French, are you living in France? If so have you had the vaccine and would you have AZ?

The quasi ineffective statement didn’t help Macron generally

NotIm does the not to under 55 have any impact / delay? Do you have enough Pfizer to do all under 55?

Not sure if you’re using any other

@notimagain

M Macron never follows the science when he thinks he can make some political points, and never mind that he's damaging confidence in a very safe, effective vaccine along the way angry

TBH what I do find interesting this PM is that despite the French have very much relaxed restrictions the obsession continues with discussing Mr Macron, (not sure why), and that there's barely a mention of the fact that three Scandinavian nations have decided to retain much more stringent restrictions or bans on the use of AZ than the French.....

Any thoughts on that or will it be the standard Pavlovianesque response be "ah but Macron"?

What do you mean relaxed restrictions? They have announced that they will only use it for the over 55's?

Personally I don't care - I would rather the British press wouldn't keep shining a spotlight on the latest machinations of various European countries with regard to using or not using AZ (and speculating on their motives - and it is odd indeed given full EMA endorsement and approval). Its undermining confidence here