A prototype of the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University in the UK. AFP Yonhap News material photo
The European Union (EU) and the UK have ended a neurological warfare over securing a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine. The EU decided to receive an additional supply of AstraZeneca vaccine, and the UK also removed obstacles from bringing the Corona 19 vaccine produced in Europe to its home country. However, both sides are buried in egoism, and they are likely to be criticized for undermining the cause of the global cooperation task of equitable vaccine distribution.
British Minister of International Trade Leeds Truss said in a media interview on the 31st of last month (local time) that it has received a written promise from the EU that there will be no disruption in the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine supply contract. “There is no need to worry about the lack of vaccines,” said Truss. As EU Commissioner Ursula Ponderrayen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a safe supply in the currency, Pfizer-Bioentech will have no problem in bringing vaccines produced in the EU into the UK.
The EU also announced that AstraZeneca will deliver 40 million doses of Corona 19 vaccine in the first quarter. It is only half of the 80 million episodes that were originally scheduled to be received, but 9 million times more than the 31 million episodes notified by the company two weeks ago. EU Commissioner Fon der Reien made a comment on Twitter on the day and expressed it as “a step forward in vaccine supply.” He added, “AstraZeneca plans to start delivery one week ahead of the original plan, and we have decided to expand our manufacturing capacity in Europe.”
There are many accusations that the confrontation between the two sides stepped back one step at a time and revealed only the ugly’vaccine nationalism’, although the shape was sutured. Truss said, “To fundamentally escape from the infectious disease crisis, it is important to open borders and cooperate with vaccination nationalism and protectionism.”
Jinwook Kim reporter [email protected]
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