Prognosis
EU Tightens Curbs on Vaccine Exports as Infection Rates Increase
- Officials want to ensure ‘timely’ deliveries to the EU
- New export rules to be in force for at least six weeks
The EU will demand that countries that received doses from the EU also allow shots to be sent back.
Photographer: Nathan Laine/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The European Union unveiled plans to extend its powers to block Covid vaccine exports, prompting criticism from the rest of the world, as the discovery of millions of doses at a plant near Rome added to confusion over the bloc’s rollout.
Amid escalating tension with allies and global manufacturers, the EU is demanding that countries that receive doses from the bloc also allow shots to be sent in the other direction. There are still no automatic bans however, and officials will take into account a nation’s vaccination rate and pandemic situation when deciding whether to approve shipments.