Brussels chief Ursula von der Leyen stoked a row over the jabs by suggesting the EU could stop exporting to countries who have higher vaccination rates. In the six weeks from Jan. 30, when the EU put in place a system requiring authorisation of vaccine exports, manufacturers shipped 9.1 million vaccine doses to the UK. The EU faces an acute shortage of COVID-19 jabs, which Ms von der Leyen blamed on reduced deliveries by AstraZeneca. And Ms von der Leyen would not rule out the EU seizing production of vaccines and suspending intellectual property rights. EU countries will be under pressure to agree a common position swiftly for their 450 million people.

Source: Daily Mirror March 17, 2021 12:43 UTC