Prognosis

EU Set to Tighten Vaccine Export Rules Amid U.K. Tensions

EU is drafting new restrictions under its export mechanism
Bloc also in talks with U.K. about AstraZeneca’s Covid shots

E.U. to Abolish All Country Exemptions for Vaccine Export Curbs

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By Nikos Chrysoloras and Viktoria Dendrinou

March 23, 2021 at 3:21 PM UTC

Updated on

March 24, 2021 at 3:37 AM UTC

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European Union vaccine shipments to the rest of the world could face severe disruptions under tougher rules set to be unveiled on Wednesday.

The EU’s current export regime guarantees that supplies to some 90 countries won’t be interrupted, and also offers protection to companies like Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. that have met their commitments in Europe. Under stricter restrictions being drafted in Brussels, both of those exemptions could be removed, a senior EU official said.