Flash News

Argument with hard objects at a residence in Lundë, one person is suspected of being injured

Pope Francis' funeral, 4,000 police officers will oversee security at the Vatican tomorrow

Video/ Disappointed miner burns his PS card

Accident in "Plepat e Kardhiqit", German hits pedestrian in Gjirokastra

He raped an OSHEE employee, a 38-year-old man is wanted in Tirana

Bota

Ursula von der Leyen accuses the UK of compromising on the provision of vaccines

Politiko 2021-02-02 12:21:50

Ursula von der Leyen accuses the UK of compromising on the provision of vaccines

The UK vaccination program has enjoyed its start through compromise on safety and efficacy safeguards, claimed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The former German defense minister, who took command of the EU executive branch in 2019, said she had a responsibility to take the time to ensure the success of the bloc's mass vaccination program. Faced with harsh criticism, including from her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker, Von der Leyen said she was committed to her role and had to be judged at the end of her 2024 term.

"Some countries started vaccinating a little bit before Europe, it's true. "But they turned to 24-hour emergency marketing authorization procedures, " she said when asked about Britain.

The UK Regulatory Agency for Medicinal Products and Healthcare Products (MHRA) granted vaccination to Pfizer / BioNTech on 2 December and Oxford / AstraZeneca on 30 December through provisional approval, an access also available to EU Member States .

However, the 27 EU governments decided to seek authorization together through the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is unable to obtain the prompt option. The Pfizer vaccine was approved on December 21 and AstraZeneca received approval last Friday.

The Commission has raised suspicions that the shortage was due to doses being shipped to the UK. Von der Leyen has also demanded that the vaccine be produced for EU citizens in Oxford and Staffordshire to make missing deliveries.

She said: “ Our contract with AstraZeneca is clear… nothing prevents the company from sending us UK-made doses as stipulated in the contract, especially since London does not prohibit it. It depends on AstraZeneca to organize to offer (for) its customers, this is not our job. What we want are reasonable explanations and a schedule for future shipments. ”

Last week, the EU introduced an export authorization scheme to force vaccine suppliers to seek approval to move doses out of the block. The Japanese government has said it fears the measure will slow down its vaccination program by introducing additional documents.

Latest news