Filenews 15 March 2021
A report by US Politico reports on a civil war between EU countries. But even without it, the problems in the scandalous distribution of vaccines have become clear. There can no longer be any doubt that despite the Commission's fine words on the 'principle of solidarity and equality on the basis of equal treatment and access to vaccines, without favouring countries with stronger negotiating power', the reality is different.
Within the week, the Commission will present the health certificate (also known as the 'green passport'). However, it is important to solve the problem of the vaccination process. Many are now talking about a two-speed EU. Hence the joint letter from the leaders of six member countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Latvia and Croatia), in which they denounce "injustices" and "hidden agreements" between states and pharmaceutical companies, calling for an extraordinary meeting of the European Council.
The distribution of vaccines has turned into a growing scandal, which is adding to the fiasco of the Commission's agreements with pharmaceutical companies. President Ursula von der Leyen is trying to blame elsewhere, but is in danger of being swept away by the scandal. However, she disclaims her responsibilities, blaming AstraZeneca. The company announced that there would be further delays in deliveries of its vaccine to the EU. "Unfortunately export restrictions will reduce deliveries in the first quarter of the year and possibly in the second quarter," an AstraZeneca spokesperson said.
However, the problems are not limited to under-production and export difficulties. In Norway, three health workers who made the AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 are hospitalized with thrombosis. A thrombosis incident was also recorded in Greece. Alarm has been sounded in many European countries, following a "problematic" (;) batch of AstraZeneca vaccines. This is the ABV5300 batch, which according to foreign media reports has also been distributed in Greece. The National Medicines Agency (NSA) has been informed of the incident. The company made an announcement. In it, she points out that she has checked on people who have had the vaccine and there is no evidence of an increased risk of developing blood clots.
Despite the company's assurances, several European countries have frozen vaccinations with AstraZeneca to investigate whether cases of thrombosis are related to the vaccine. These countries are Denmark, Norway, Italy (resumed vaccinations), Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia and Ireland. Others delay orders until the situation is clear.
In addition, the competent European authority states in a statement that it "recommended that product information be updated to include anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity (allergic reactions) as side effects." This is the fourth vaccine approved by the EU.
It is clear that from now on the popular proverb 'the saved self' applies. Berlin was the first to openly flirt with the Russian vaccine, which had been officially rejected by Brussels, but was not tested. Follow Paris. In Italy, in agreement with swiss biopharmaceutical company Atienne Pharma & Biothech and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), production is expected to begin.
From the floor of the House, Deputy Health Minister Vassilis Kozamanis argued that the country has ensured vaccine adequacy and does not need to resort to the Russian and Chinese vaccines. Primary Health Secretary Marios Themistokleous expressed optimism that Johnson & Johnson will deliver by the end of April the first batch of the monodosic vaccine against the pandemic.
Not even the third deadly wave of the pandemic, however, managed to unite the EU. The Commission's proposal has been discredited in practice and this is shown by the fact that many member countries have become autonomous in seeking solutions outside the Community framework, which has proved at least problematic.
It was expected that vaccination would turn into a field of competition. It's all about supply and demand, and "it's a lot of Money Mars". Among other things, ethical dilemmas arise when 11 countries suspend one of the most popular vaccine use.
Source: protothema.gr
