Filenews 15 March 2021
Behind the scenes, the EU is turning to the Russian vaccine against Sputnik V coronavirus as it attempts to find its way back to the issue of the vaccination effort of its 450 million citizens, a diplomatic source told Reuters.
A European official negotiating with manufacturers on behalf of the Union told Reuters that EU governments were considering starting talks with Sputnik V producers and would listen to the demands of four member countries to start the process.
Hungary and Slovakia have already bought Russian doses of the vaccine, the Czech Republic is interested and the EU official said Italy was considering using the largest vaccine development infrastructure site near Rome to produce Sputnik V.
Brussels is facing criticism for delaying the promotion of vaccines at a time when its former member, Britain, is relaxing the restrictive measures as the vaccination programme gains pace. Italy is stepping up lockdowns, hospitals in the Paris region are one step ahead of becoming overcrowded and Germany has warned of a third wave.
The EU has signed agreements on six vaccines with Western manufacturers and has launched talks on two more. It has approved four vaccines so far but production has led to delays in the vaccination campaign and some member countries are looking for solutions on their own.
If Sputnik V were to join the EU's authorised vaccines, this would be a diplomatic triumph for Russia whose trade relations with the Union have deteriorated due to sanctions, Reuters reports.
It also risks separating the EU in those countries that oppose giving Moscow victory and those that are in favour of indicating that Brussels can cooperate with the Kremlin.
Another EU official said the ReiThera facility in Italy was cited by officials in the country as a possible place to produce vaccines against the crown of other companies.
ReiThera, which is 30% owned by the state and is developing its own vaccine, declined to comment.
A spokesman for Italy's Industry Ministry declined to comment on a possible use of the plant for the manufacture of Sputnik V.
"We will produce all authorized vaccines whenever possible," he said.
A Commission spokesman coordinating talks with vaccine manufacturers said the EU did not need to start talks with Sputnik V officials even if the EMA approves the vaccine.
Negotiations with vaccine manufacturers lasted months before supply agreements were reached and the EU official said no decision had yet been made on whether to approach Sputnik V producers after internal talks on the issue.
However, discussions between EU governments show a marked change in the treatment of the Russian vaccine.
For months, the EU expressed doubts about the lack of data.
Source: sputniknews.gr
