A working meeting on vaccine distribution in the EU took place in Vienna on Tuesday. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz spoke with five of his EU counterparts about a “correction mechanism” for vaccine distribution. Kurz insists on European solidarity and fair distribution.
The heads of government Andrej Babis (Czech Republic), Boyko Borissow (Bulgaria) and Janez Jansa (Slovenia) took part in the discussion directly in Vienna. Andrej Plenkovic (Croatia) and Krisjanis Karins (Latvia) were connected via video. The six heads of government spoke about how the intra-European distribution of vaccines can be made more equitable.
Austria in the middle
In the summer of 2020, the heads of state and government of the EU agreed on a mechanism that guarantees each country the same amount of vaccine per capita at the same time. Such a distribution is currently not taking place, which is why the talks in Vienna were initiated.
With 12 vaccinations per 100 inhabitants, Austria is in the middle of the field for the vaccination coverage of the member states and “neither among the losers nor among the total beneficiaries” of vaccine distribution. But there are states that are significantly above – or below. According to Kurz, this must be remedied. In Malta the rate is 27 vaccinations per 100 inhabitants, other member states have 5 vaccinations per 100 inhabitants.
Fair distribution in line with the European idea
Briefly fears intra-European tensions if individual member states have vaccinated the population as early as May, other member states need to do so by June. According to Kurz, this was ensured by the fact that the steering board decided on a different apportionment key, as in the council of heads of state and government.
In the spirit of the European idea, Kurz made it clear that it was important to find a mechanism that would not disadvantage EU countries. The group of six heads of government that met today in Vienna – digitally and live – is working closely with Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen announced via Twitter that BioNTech / Pfizer would deliver an early delivery of 10 million vaccine doses to the EU in the second quarter. These doses will be available to EU countries sooner than planned.
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