EU chief says AstraZeneca shortfalls slow vaccine campaign

EU chief says AstraZeneca shortfalls slow vaccine campaign

BRUSSELS (AP) “” The European Union's chief executive criticized Anglo-Swedish vaccine-maker AstraZeneca on Wednesday, accusing the embattled pharmaceutical company of delaying Europe's coronavirus vaccination campaign and warning that the EU is weighing export bans to ensure supplies.

"AstraZeneca has unfortunately under-produced and under-delivered, and this painfully, of course, reduced the speed of the vaccination campaign,“ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

Von der Leyen said the company originally pledged to deliver 90 million doses of its shot in the first three months of 2021, but later said it could only provide 40 million, then more recently only 30 million.

Beyond criticism for its slow deliveries, notably in Europe, AstraZeneca also has had to deal with reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients of its shot, although the company and international regulators say there is no evidence the vaccine is to blame. Several countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain, have suspended its use.

The EU's drug regulator insisted Tuesday that there is "no indication“ it does so, and von der Leyen said Wednesday that "I trust AstraZeneca, I trust the vaccines.“

AstraZeneca's formula is one of three vaccines in use on the continent. But the escalating concern is another setback for