What exactly is happening with AstraZeneca?

Aegir wrote: »

The normally calm and measured EU commission seem to be in a state of panic.

This really is a time to sit and eat socially distanced popcorn.

Arlene Foster statement:

“This is an incredible act of hostility. By triggering Article 16 in this manner, the European Union has once again shown it is prepared to use Northern Ireland when it suits their interests but in the most despicable manner — over the provision of a vaccine which is designed to save lives.

At the first opportunity the EU has placed a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the supply chain of the Coronavirus vaccine.

With the European Union using Article 16 in such an aggressive and most shameful way, it is now time for our Government to step up. I will be urging the Prime Minister to act and use robust measures including Article 16 to advance the interests of Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.”

Could really be doing without this - it's an open goal for her.

AdamD wrote: »

Katya Adler may as well work for the Tory party

She is widely perceived as pretty even-handed or even pro-EU based on most of her output during the Brexit process.

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

EU should ban the export of all vaccines leaving EU territory from now until AZ fulfills it’s contract. It’s that simple.

Canada wouldn't be happy!not sure on this but Moderna is Swiss also and not sure where the Swiss fit in this

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

So just this casual observers question -

Can the EU more or less embargo any of the AZ vaccine doses destined to leave the eu if it wants?

And instead divert the doses to be used within the EU?

In theory and to be fair actual practice. This is possible.

But may be the worst long term move in history. Economic hit from pharma loss due to HA demands would be brutal. Especially for us.

But it is technically possible. Short sighted but possible, or so is my understanding.

FileNotFound wrote: »

An awful stupid idea in the long run.

The damage it would cause to pharma in EU would continue for years.

As for Moderna - not under EMA jurisdiction unless they produce in an EU site.

My understanding is that Moderna is made in Switzerland but put in vials in EU so I suspect these new regulations are equally relevant for that vaccine - although UK is not due to receive it for a while yet.

Happy to be corrected.

Melanchthon wrote: »

https://www.theguardian.com./australia-news/2021/jan/29/australia-in-talks-with-who-and-europe-over-certainty-of-covid-vaccine-supplies

Today is an ironic day isn't it, talk of Drug companies moving production to the US because of protectionism and article.16 being triggered not by the DUP's stupidity but by the EU (instantly too AFAIK a month long dialogue is mentioned but not required)

Then Asia
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/davos-2021-japan-korea-vaccine-nationalism-covid-19-coronavirus-eu-122117522.html?guccounter=1

The EU need to up their game. When you are making Arlene Foster and the Russians look good it’s time to take a serious look in the mirror.

This has moved into full blown disaster territory for the EU.

Micheál Martin has raised concerns over controls on vaccines to NI

Disgraceful carry on from the EU.

brickster69 wrote: »

He must of been consulted on it.

Was he,


The Taoiseach has been in contact with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to raise concerns about the decision to override part of the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol in order to block vaccines entering the UK.

---

There are concerns in Government that this risks undermining the agreement.

A spokesperson for Micheál Martin told RTÉ News that the Taoiseach was aware of the issue and is "in discussions with Ursula von der Leyen to raise concerns about this".

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2021/0129/1193953-north-vaccine-brexit/

Did he raise it as an issue or was this all after the fact, its not a strong statement that he was consulted

Utterly pointless interview of Tony Houlihan by David McCullough there.

Asked Houlihan specifically about the efficacy of the AZ vaccine in over 55s.

Houlihan completely avoided answering the question and your man accepted the answer.

RTE are truly useless.

mick087 wrote: »

Micheál Martin has raised concerns over controls on vaccines to NI

He'd have to raise a concern on any EU export of vaccines. They cannot implement it without restrictions into NI. Otherwise all exports would be just exported out of the EU via NI.
It's an impossible position now.

Ok can someone bring me up to speed on this please, as I though AZ were in the wrong as they weren’t providing the EU with vaccines from the UK site as per the contract they signed with the EU.
However this is from what I’ve heard on RTE so there’s probably an agenda.