Canberra - Australia has asked the European Commission to review Italy s decision to block the export of 250 000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to the country. It is the first time new rules have been used that allow a ban on European Union exports if the drug provider fails to meet its obligations to the bloc. The move has heightened a tense dispute between Oxford-AstraZeneca and EU countries over supply issues …
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says Italy’s decision to block a shipment of AstraZeneca doses to Australia is a reminder of the “desperation” which exists in other parts of the world.
Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the move to prevent the shipment of 250,000 doses was made because Australia is not vulnerable, and AstraZeneca is not delivering enough supplies to Europe.
“I don’t think we should see this as a target at Australia,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News.
“But I think it is very much a reminder of the desperation that exists in other parts of the world compared with the very good position we find ourselves in here in Australia.
Mr Birmingham said Australia had fared better than most nations on the economy, COVID transmission, and vaccines.
“We would rather this decision by Italian authorities and the EU had not occurred,” he said.
“But the reality is we had 300,000 doses delivered last week and that will see our current distribution plan work
France says it could emulate Italy in blocking the export of COVID-19 vaccines from the European Union if that's what is needed to enforce its own contracts with drugs manufacturers.