London “blackmailed” vaccine deliveries for lack of stocks for second doses

France accused the UK on Friday of exerting “blackmail” on AstraZeneca vaccine deliveries because it has a “problem” with stocks for the administration of the second dose to Britons already vaccinated once. “We cannot play a bit of blackmail like that inasmuch as we wanted to vaccinate hard (for) the first dose and we find ourselves a little handicapped for the second. Europe does not have to pay the price for this policy, ”declared the head of French diplomacy Jean-Yves Le Drian on France Info radio.

“Today, there are as many vaccinees of the two doses in France as in the United Kingdom,” he assured. According to the latest data, the UK has vaccinated with two doses around 5.3% of its adult population and France 5%. On the other hand, the administration of a single dose of vaccine provides undeniable effectiveness. Studies have shown significant protection against hospitalizations even after a single dose.

“It would be amazing to wage a vaccine war between the UK and Europe”

“We must find a cooperative relationship with the United Kingdom so that AstraZeneca fulfills its commitments signed with the European Union and that everyone can navigate”, hammered the head of French diplomacy. “I hope we will come to an agreement. It would be amazing to wage a vaccine war between the United Kingdom and Europe, ”noted Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The European Union, faced with vaccine delivery problems at the heart of a heated dispute with London, said it was ready on Thursday to block exports of doses of AstraZeneca produced on its territory. The EU and London could reach an agreement on Saturday on the supply of anti-Covid vaccines, however, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Thursday.