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Australia has asked the European Commission to reconsider Italy’s decision to block a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines against the coronavirus.
Italy, backed by the European Commission, stopped the planned export of about 250,000 doses of AstraZeneca after the drugmaker failed to meet its contract commitments with the European Union.
“Australia has raised the issue with the European Commission through multiple channels,” Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Melbourne.
AstraZeneca sought permission from Italian authorities to export 250,000 doses from the Anagni factory near Rome, but the Italian Government refused.
Hunt said Australia has already received 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will last until domestic production of the vaccine increases.
Australia launched the immunization program two weeks ago, initially vaccinating healthcare staff and senior citizens with the Pfizer vaccine, although doses of the latter are limited worldwide.
Italy’s decision comes just days after Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took office last month, told other EU leaders that the bloc should speed up vaccination and take action against pharmaceutical companies that have failed to do so. provide the promised supplies.
EU countries started immunization in late December, but are moving at a slower pace than many other countries.
Officials have blamed supply problems on major manufacturers.
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