EU threaten to cut off vaccine supply to the UK 3

[EasterIssland]

Thread 2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4200959-EU-threaten-to-cut-off-vaccine-supply-to-the-UK-2?pg=1

"EU is simply not in a position to export vaccine."

Nor is it in a position to legally block exports of something which it doesn't own when there is a contract between a company that happens to be on EU soil and a buyer that doesn't. Like anyone, EU officials have the option to break the law if they choose. There may or may not be consequences.

The position with the UK is that the AZ doses are owned by the UK because they have been bought and paid for under contract. After that contract is fulfilled, any further doses will presumably be the property of AZ to sell and supply as they see fit/are contracted and it would be illegal for the UK to block the export of them.

It was breaking news on Sky actually, so need to check on the internet.

www.rferl.org/a/germany-sputnik-russia-vaccine-bavaria-soeder/31192636.html

@jasjas1973 recent research says it only has 10% efficay on south african strain www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2021/03/17/astrazeneca-vaccine-fails-to-protect-against-the-south-african-variant/
The scientist are hoping that although it doesn't protect against mild illiness. It might perform better in preventing more serious illnesses. I read somewhere professor Ferguson was saying along the lines that we need to be cautious with the SA stain or we may end up like Chile. Which is something I dont understand. Because if say the vaccine does prevent serious illness then that's really job done. Would it really matter infections going up if hostpitalisation is very low. Would be more akin to people getting a cold. But I guess the big question is does it prevent serious illness.

@Mumzieeee that does make sense, that’s why the UK government are being very careful re travel and organising a top up vaccine for the elderly in autumn.

Well that’s still saying if approved by European authorities.

Yes it is old link, and the sky news updates haven't yet been updated I assume, the presenter made a point of saying it is going ahead with or without EMA approval. Same as Hungary etc.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/germany-seeks-russia-talks-over-possible-supply-of-sputnik-v-covid-vaccine

This link makes it more clear.
No update from an hour ago available on line just yet.

Almost all Dutch-made AstraZeneca doses will stay in EU, says Brussels
AstraZeneca has agreed that almost all the Covid vaccine doses made in the Netherlands over which the UK has made a claim will stay in the EU, as Brussels’ vaccine tsar said Europe was now on track for an “almost normal” tourist season.

Thierry Breton, the European commissioner leading the bloc’s vaccine taskforce, said the chief executive of AstraZeneca had confirmed to him that all but 1.2m to 1.5m doses at the Dutch plant would now be delivered to EU member states.
“I organised a [video teleconference] between the CEO of Halix and the CEO of AstraZeneca, and finally the CEO of AstraZeneca recognised that all the production of Halix was planned to support the EU delivery. That is all I can tell you,” Breton said.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/almost-all-dutch-made-astrazeneca-doses-will-stay-in-eu-says-brussels

Well I hope the EU countries use it and get their act together and not left sitting in fridges going off.

[quote Baileysforchristmas]@Mumzieeee that does make sense, that’s why the UK government are being very careful re travel and organising a top up vaccine for the elderly in autumn.[/quote]
These new strains could put us back to last March, thats why its vital countries like Brazil, India and South Africa (plus many others) get vaccinating.
This also applies to parts of europe, where infections have yet to peak, so europe exporting vaccines to countries like Australia, with almost zero Cv is stupid, the 10k doses they'll send to PNG could go direct, the other 990k could go elsewhere.

Booster vaccines are yet to be released & they will take many months to administer.

Here is a link to the effectiveness of the commonly used vaccines, which is quite interesting.
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/coronavirus-vaccine-trials

And that either AZ or the EU reimburses the UK for our investment in the Dutch plant

@Baileysforchristmas

Well I hope the EU countries use it and get their act together and not left sitting in fridges going off.

Yes we can agree on that.

AZ does last about 5 months if refrigerated.

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

And that either AZ or the EU reimburses the UK for our investment in the Dutch plant

Why? should we reimburse the EU for their investment in the Jenner institute?

If its not in any contract, returns of monies aren't required.

They are if the EU doesn't allow AZ to properly fulfill its contract with the UK. I doubt Britain was investing in the EU supply chain unless there was an agreement which benefitted the UK

@jasjas1973 are you in a country where the vaccination roll out us going well? Are you vaccinated yet or will be soon?

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

They are if the EU doesn't allow AZ to properly fulfill its contract with the UK. I doubt Britain was investing in the EU supply chain unless there was an agreement which benefitted the UK

Hopefully Britain specified that in the contract - they’re very good at that so I’m sure they will have done if they were entitled to.

@Baileysforchristmas

Well I hope the EU countries use it and get their act together and not left sitting in fridges going off.

I thought it was well known amongst mumsnetters that UDVL stole them all to use as bathwater before pouring it onto the graves of the vulnerable Europeans she has literally killed and laughing germanically ....

I'm not sure if the government would have specified this in the contract because who could predict that the EU would seize goods made within the block by private companies.

@QuentininQuarantino well there’s millions lying around doing nothing at least if it was used for bath water some use will come of them, while people in other countries die of Covid.

Oh totally, here we use them to fill water balloons which we throw at the elderly. Bonus points if you get one with a prior health condition. We’re just sooo evil

that UDVL stole them all to use as bathwater before pouring it onto the graves of the vulnerable Europeans she has literally killed and laughing germanically

Why do I think that post is going to come back and bite you squarely on the arse quentin assuming you have seen the modelling for deaths in Europe in the next six months, I would say that comment has been made in extremely bad taste.

I'm delighted that the EU have convinced AZ to supply more of the contracted vaccines which were bought and paid for. It's unfortunate AZ also promised (and took money from) the UK for vaccines in the EU supply chain. AZ bit off way more than they could chew. Until now the EU have taken the majority of the hit. It looks like the pain of AZs incompetence is going to be spread more evenly now.

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

I'm not sure if the government would have specified this in the contract because who could predict that the EU would seize goods made within the block by private companies.

See, i really don't get this... the first duty of any govt is to protect its citizens. So (in a national emergency) stopping the export of goods, regardless of contract, is ok by me.

If the UK was way behind vaccinations and facing a devastating 4th wave but still exporting vaccine, i would expect it to ban these, this is a deadly pandemic and has killed more people in the UK than the 'blitz did or the case of the USA, more than were killed in Vietnam..... yet you expect countries to behave as if business is as usual?

For example......, i have private medical insurance, i have a contract, the private hospitals have contracts too BUT the Govt took them over to treat NHS patients, i have to wait for surgery.

Am i complaining NO! its a national emergency, normal rules cease, the cancer treatment centre set up in our local Nuffield is far more important than minor surgery.