Faced with a third wave of the viral pandemic, and with tensions between member countries, the Twenty-seven promised yesterday during a European summit to relaunch both the production and administration of vaccines in the second quarter. The difficult conditions in which Europe finds itself contrast with the situation in the United States, where vaccinations continue fast. American President Joe Biden spoke during the European summit in the evening, promising a revival of bilateral relations.
Accelerating the production, delivery and distribution of vaccines remains essential and urgent to overcome the crisis. Efforts in this direction must be intensified ”, read yesterday evening in a plot of the final declaration, a summit still in progress. Speaking to heads of state and government, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced she expects delivery of 360 million doses in the second quarter, up from the 100 million doses expected between January and March.
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Distribution of vaccines under accusation
The conference call, which lasted just one day instead of two, was marked by the tensions of the moment. First of all, the pandemic is experiencing a new wave of infections, putting all countries under pressure. Some more than others. In Hungary, deaths have increased by 40% in the past week. The situation is also very difficult in other Member States of the region: in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Slovakia. These differences come as vaccine breakdown is under fire.
Initially, the distribution of drugs had to take place according to the size of the population of each country. In a second round, this criterion was dropped for several reasons. Now the Twenty-seven are seeking a compromise to heal the divisions and help the countries most in difficulty or which for one reason or another think they have been penalized in the breakdown. The Austrian government was riding the theme last night.
Member States divided on export tightening
Discussions also emerged regarding the tightening on the authorization to export vaccines decided by Brussels. Italy and France are in favor; others – such as Belgium, Sweden and even the Netherlands – are colder because they fear, among other things, of jeopardizing their role in logistics. According to EU data, since 1 December the Union has exported 77 million doses to about forty third countries, of which 21 million to Great Britain (see Il Sole 24 Ore on Thursday 25 March).