LONDON, March 14, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The European Union was faced with
another setback in its coronavirus vaccination programme after AstraZeneca
announced a shortfall, as countries across the world tried to step up their
Covid-19 immunisation drives.
The pharmaceutical company’s image had already taken a hit with several
countries suspending the rollout of its vaccine over blood clot fears, though
the World Health Organization said there was no reason to stop using it in
the fight against the pandemic.
Mass vaccinations are considered critical to ending the pandemic, which
has claimed more than 2.6 million lives globally, and the AstraZeneca
announcement was another blow for EU leaders, who have already faced
criticism for the stumbling start to the jab drive on the hard-hit continent.
“AstraZeneca is disappointed to announce a shortfall in planned Covid-19
vaccine shipments to the European Union… despite working tirelessly to
accelerate supply,” the firm said Saturday.
It had previously warned of shortfalls from its European supply chain due
to lower-than-expected production output, and was hoping to compensate by
sourcing shots from its global network.
“Unfortunately, export restrictions will reduce deliveries in the first
quarter, and are likely to affect deliveries in the second quarter,” the
company said.
AstraZeneca’s shot is among the cheapest available, and forms a bulk of
deliveries to poorer nations under the WHO-backed Covax initiative, which
aims to ensure the equitable global distribution of vaccines.
The supply issues added to the firm’s troubles, with some countries
including Denmark, Norway and Iceland suspending use of its shot over
concerns over side effects such as blood clots.
The WHO, which said its vaccines advisory committee was examining the
safety data, stressed that no causal link has been established between the
clots and the jab. AstraZeneca has also insisted that the shot is safe.
– Persistent threat –
Global coronavirus infections are approaching 120 million and even as
nations around the world ramp up vaccinations, social distancing and movement
restrictions are being used at varying levels to counter the spread of Covid-
19.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex did not rule out a new lockdown in the
region that is home to the capital Paris, describing the situation as “on a
razor’s edge”, while the head of Germany’s disease control agency warned that
“the third wave has already started” there.
Italy had already announced new restrictions on Friday, with schools,
restaurants, shops and museums ordered to close across most regions.
In Africa, Tunisia and Ethiopia both launched vaccination campaigns on
Saturday, but Ethiopian officials flagged an alarming rise in cases too.
The drives are crucial in reviving the global economy, which was battered
by the pandemic as most travel was curbed and people forced to stay home with
no nation spared the impact.
Millions were left jobless in the United States, the world’s biggest
economy, and those who could not work from home had to balance the risk of
Covid-19 with the need to make ends meet.
For Matt Valentin, who worked at a cafe in the state of Michigan, the job
became an increasingly anxiety-ridden environment last year as the pandemic
worsened.
“It went from ‘get these drinks and orders done as fast as possible’ to
‘do all of that, and try not to bring a deadly virus home to your vulnerable
family,'” the 21-year-old told AFP.
– Singapore-Australia travel bubble –
After a much-criticised start to its vaccination programme, the United
States has accelerated the rollout of shots, with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention saying 100 million doses have been administered.
That is just less than a third of the total given worldwide so far.
There was also a sign of recovery at American airports, which saw their
largest number of passengers in a year.
Just over 1.35 million travellers were checked in at US airports on
Friday, the most since March 15 last year, according to the Transportation
Safety Administration.
And hopes for international travel were boosted as officials said
Australia and Singapore were working to create a travel bubble as early as
July, which would allow travellers between the two countries to avoid
quarantine.