UK Prime Minister expresses concern over EU plans on vaccine export control

London (UK), January 30: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concern during a conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the bloc's intentions to control exports of coronavirus vaccines , including to Northern Ireland, which is subject to the regulation of the European Single Market, office said.
On Friday, European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said that the exports of certain products, including coronavirus vaccines, would require authorization. The decision on limiting vaccine exports was made in the European Union after the AstraZeneca company announced delays in vaccine supplies, citing production problems, reaffirming, however, its commitments on deliveries to the UK.
"The Prime Minister spoke to European Commission President von der Leyen this evening. He expressed his grave concerns about the potential impact, which the steps the EU has taken today on vaccine exports, could have," the prime minister's office said.
UK media has reported, citing sources in Brussels, that the European Union had revised its stance on Northern Ireland and would exempt it from the vaccine export authorization.
The United Kingdom has launched a mass vaccination program using vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer. London has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, whose delivery may now be under threat over the new EU regulation.
Source: Sputnik