Bungling EU chiefs fail to clinch deal for new Novavax Covid vaccine said to be 96 per cent effective
BUNGLING EU chiefs have failed to clinch a deal for a new Covid-19 vaccine said to be 96 per cent effective.
Britain signed a contract seven months ago to guarantee 60 million doses of the Novavax jab.
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The company also has agreements to supply the US, Canada and Australia. But, with approval expected within weeks, talks between the US-owned producer and the EU have stalled.
Novavax is said to be wary about rushing into a deal with bullying Eurocrats, who have fallen out with fellow pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca.
A source said: “You can’t blame the company for being cautious after seeing the punishment beating given to AstraZeneca over the past few weeks. They are clearly unwilling to line themselves up as the new scapegoats for the EU’s failings.
“There are many more countries who want to do business.”
Novavax was spotted by Kate Bingham, then head of Britain’s vaccine taskforce, who clinched a deal for supplies last August.
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The jab, to be made at the company’s UK plant in Stockton-on-Tees, is thought to be effective against highly contagious variants of Covid-19. But EC president Ursula von der Leyen has been haggling over terms.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “The EU set out to teach AstraZeneca a lesson but their politically motivated action has backfired badly, meaning members will get fewer vaccines.”
The EU insists it is Novavax which is dragging its heels and the company admitted it had raw material supply shortages.
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