Von Der Leyen Says Astra Can’t Export Shots Till EU Supplied (2)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said AstraZeneca Plc must meet its commitments for supplying vaccines to the European Union before it will be allowed to export any doses.

Speaking at a press conference following a virtual summit with EU leaders, von der Leyen set out the rationale for a plan announced on Wednesday to give the bloc greater powers to ban Covid vaccine exports, and shifted responsibility to manufacturers.

“We could have been much faster if all pharmaceutical companies had fulfilled their contracts,” she said. “AstraZenaca has committed to a lower number of doses than was contracted.”

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