Sunday, May 09, 2021
Dispute over delivery delays
EU does not want to extend Astrazeneca contract
Astrazeneca offers an inexpensive and effective corona vaccine. Nevertheless, the EU does not want a contract extension with the British-Swedish group. The reason is not possible side effects, but legal dispute.
The EU Commission is not extending its vaccine supply contract with Astrazeneca beyond June. This is announced by Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. The Commission is in litigation with the company over delivery delays.
The British-Swedish group cut its delivery quantities to the EU states several times, while deliveries to Great Britain continued to be relatively silent. The EU sees this as a breach of contract and has taken Astrazeneca to court. The company believes the lawsuit is unfounded. The contract contains the controversial clause that the company must undertake “best reasonable efforts” to fulfill the commitments – in German roughly “all reasonable efforts”. Astrazeneca argues that this has been complied with, the EU Commission sees it differently. The trial will take place at the end of May.
With a price of around 3.40 euros per dose, the vaccine with the name Vaxzevria is significantly lower in price than the mRNA vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna. In addition, the agent can be transported and stored relatively easily, since refrigerator temperatures are sufficient. It is particularly suitable for use in developing countries, but also in medical practices.
Vaccine off to a bumpy start
Despite its logistical and price advantages and the demonstrably high effectiveness, the relatively young history of the Astrazeneca vaccine was bumpy: Rarely occurring blood clots in connection with the vaccination meant that several countries officially recommend the drug only for older age groups or even the vaccine no longer use. In the new safety report of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, 67 cases of vaccination complications are recorded for Germany by April 30th. Fourteen people died. Most of the cases were therefore sinus vein thrombosis.
The reports about it aroused suspicion even in age groups for whom the vaccine is unreservedly recommended. At times, tens of thousands of vaccine doses were left lying around because citizens did not keep their appointments. In Germany, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) recommends Astrazeneca for people over 60 – after medical advice, however, younger people can also be vaccinated with it. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently came to the conclusion that the benefits of the vaccination clearly outweigh the risks.
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