Vaccine wars risk hurting all sides: The Yorkshire Post says

Boris Johnson is not known for shrinking away from even his most controversial public remarks, so the hasty backtracking that ensued after he reportedly joked in private with Tory MPs that “greed” had contributed to the success of the UK’s vaccination rollout underlines exactly how delicate the political situation around vaccine supply is growing.
By YP Comment
Published 25th Mar 2021, 05:45 BST
Anneliese Spies, 88 years old, waits for her husband after she receives an injection against the COVID-19 disease with the vaccine of Biontech/Pfizer at the Erika-Hess-Eisstadion vaccine center in Berlin, Germany in January (Kay Nietfeld/Pool vis AP)Anneliese Spies, 88 years old, waits for her husband after she receives an injection against the COVID-19 disease with the vaccine of Biontech/Pfizer at the Erika-Hess-Eisstadion vaccine center in Berlin, Germany in January (Kay Nietfeld/Pool vis AP)
Anneliese Spies, 88 years old, waits for her husband after she receives an injection against the COVID-19 disease with the vaccine of Biontech/Pfizer at the Erika-Hess-Eisstadion vaccine center in Berlin, Germany in January (Kay Nietfeld/Pool vis AP)

With leaders of the European Union’s 27 nations meeting today to discuss controversial proposals by the bloc to restrict exports of Covid vaccines, it is in nobody’s interests to start a tit-for-tat series of restrictions and retaliations that harm all sides and end up costing lives.

Vaccine nationalism will only hinder the efforts to reach the ultimate goal – ending this global pandemic and bringing Covid-19 under manageable control across the world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While more than half of British adults have now received a first vaccine dose – contributing to a sharp decline in Covid hospitalisations and deaths – the picture is different in Europe, where a third wave of coronavirus cases are sweeping the continent and almost 90 per cent of adults are still awaiting an initial vaccination.

It has upped the pressure on EU leaders to act – but as Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, has rightly warned the EU “may end up shooting ourselves in the foot” if they make a move that may well interrupt international supply chains for vaccine production.

While the EU claims it has sent 10 million jabs to the UK but received nothing in return, it overlooks the fact that vital components for the Pfizer vaccine manufactured in the UK are being sent to the continent to be produced in Belgium. Any restrictions on the free movement of goods and supply across borders would hurt both Britain and Europe. Politicians need to take stock and look at the bigger picture.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics:Boris JohnsonEuropeMPsYorkshire Post

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.