European Union wants AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine delivery rate quickened

The race for getting the required vaccine is on, with the EU urging major manufacturers to do more. AstraZeneca has been advised not to renegade on the agreed delivery date and supplies agreed with EU members. 

EU implores Vaccine developer to hasten production before March 

The EU has pledged with UK pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to hasten its supply of the COVID-19 vaccine amidst crises of shortage and production impediment.

The pharmaceutical company has annoyed the EU bloc by suggesting it could not deliver the agreed vaccine doses agreed with member nations with the quarter. AstraZeneca has consistently blamed production factors at European factories but the EU bloc will have none of it. They have suggested that such shortages could be disastrous to the economy. 

The European Union has been blamed for the slow distribution of these vaccines. Though a privacy clause forbids the disclosure of the complete terms, between both parties, AstraZeneca has insisted it could only deliver on 65% of the agreed vaccine doses before  March.  

A meeting between AstraZeneca and EU officials arranged 

The two parties had earlier agreed to meet to solve this impasse, an EU official stated that AstraZeneca has refused to come to the meeting, a claim the firm denies. Also, alternative vaccines like the Pfizer-BioNTech which also add supply deals with the EU are running into production issues.

In good news, French medical firm Sanofi has said it will help in the production of 130 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine before the year ends. The drug manufacturer has agreed to allow Pfizer-BioNTech to use his factories in Germany. Pfizer has said his agreement with Sanofi is part of its efforts to increase global supply and meet its vaccine delivery targets.

EU members agree that AstraZeneca must do more in delivering on its agreement, and they should make concrete efforts to meet the set deadline. The members called on the company to be more decisive and open in its dealings.