24. 02. 2021. 00:00   >>  16:52 0

DELIVERIES REDUCTION

AstraZeneca will not deliver the agreed dose of vaccines to the EU

AstraZeneca has told the European Union (EU) that it will deliver less than 90 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine to the block in the second quarter.

According to EU officials, who directly participated in the negotiations with the British-Swedish drug manufacturer, that means that AstraZeneka will deliver less than half of the number of agreed vaccines for the supply of the Union in the second quarter, B92 reports.

Under AstraZeneca's contract with the EU, which leaked to the public last week, the company committed to delivering 180 million doses to the block in the second quarter.

If vaccine doses are reduced it could affect the EU's ability to meet its goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of adults by summer.

An EU official, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that AstraZeneca plans to deliver about 40 million doses in the first quarter, which is again less than half of the 90 million doses it was supposed to deliver.

A company spokesman said they hoped to be able to better align deliveries with an advance contract on vaccines purchase.