Ursula von der Leyen threatens to block 19m AstraZeneca vaccine doses from leaving Europe

21 March 2021, 11:30 | Updated: 21 March 2021, 12:40

Ursula von der Leyen wants to stop vaccine exports from Europe to the UK
Ursula von der Leyen wants to stop vaccine exports from Europe to the UK. Picture: PA

By Asher McShane

EU countries could be stopped from sending as many as 19 million coronavirus vaccine doses to the UK under plans being considered by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She has threatened a block of AstraZeneca exports from Europe to the UK, having previously said the firm has "underproduced and underdelivered."

In a round of interviews to German media this weekend, Ms Von der Leyen said: “We have the possibility to forbid planned exports.

“That is the message to AstraZeneca, ‘You fulfil your contract with Europe before you start delivering to other countries’.”

Defence Sec. calls for calm from EU in vaccine export row

Ms von der Leyen has threatened to join forces with the French and German governments to halt the export of more than 19 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab produced on the continent, with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel already said to be in support of the plans.

READ MORE: Experts warn foreign summer breaks ‘unlikely’ amid concern over Europe's third Covid wave

READ MORE: EU 'playing politics with public health' amid vaccines controversy

France’s European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune has also appeared to support Ms Von der Leyen's approach, and European Commissioner for financial services Mairead McGuinness today said 'everything is on the table' and the EU's focus is on "protecting our citizens". 

Shadow Foreign Sec. calls for dial down of threats coming from EU

The plans are set to be discussed at an EU summit this Thursday, where the focus will be on how member states can speed up their struggling vaccination programmes.

Multiple EU member countries blocked use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to concerns over extremely rare incidents of blood clots, but were forced to U-turn when the jab was declared safe by both the UK and European medicines regulators.

Europe is entering a third wave of the virus with only around 12 per cent of the population of France, Germany and Italy vaccinated, compared to over half of the UK population receiving a first dose of a Covid-19 jab, according to figures released yesterday. The UK delivered a record 711,156 jabs in a 24 hour period.

According to the Telegraph, the government is working on plans to bring more of the UK's vaccine production on shore.

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is reported to have held talks with Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, on how to speed up production on UK shores to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Meanwhile the deputy chair of the UK's vaccine advisory body has warned Europe's approach to inoculation will harm public confidence and called for a "grown up" solution to the crisis.

Professor Anthony Harnden has told LBC he's "saddened" by the way governments stopped and restarted the use of AstraZeneca jab, which is safe.

The situation in Europe has also sparked fresh concern over the UK's roadmap out of lockdown and plans for summer holidays on the continent.

Experts have warned that trips abroad this summer are "extremely unlikely" despite MPs calling for them to be allowed to go ahead in line with the roadmap for economic reasons.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner