Global supply chains are key to delivering vaccines to protect citizens against COVID-19. The making of a vaccine requires many dozens of ingredients and manufacturing components which come from around the world.
It is vital that any measures proposed by the European Commission and the Member States do not restrict, hold back, or have other negative impacts on exports of vaccines or the import of key vaccine manufacturing supplies. Risking retaliatory measures from other regions at this crucial moment in the fight against COVID-19 is not in anyone’s best interest.
We are deeply concerned by European discussions that could be disruptive of our global efforts to manufacture and deliver billions of vaccines in record time. This is a time for cool heads and finding solutions. Threatening export restrictions is short sighted; and could risk undermining the supply of vaccines in Europe and around the world.
EFPIA statement here.