"Europe is a world leader in the development and production of vaccines. By the end of the year we will reach an annual production capacity of 2-3 billion doses".
This was stated by the EU commissioner responsible for the anti-Covid vaccination strategy, Thierry Breton, in an interview with Milano Finanza.
"The production capacity in Europe - he explains - is increasing rapidly. In January 14 million doses were produced, in February 28 million, in March we expect more than 60 million, and in the second quarter we will have at least 100 million doses per month. Based on these figures, we expect Europe to be able to produce and deliver enough vaccines to Member States by mid-July to enable national governments to carry out their vaccination campaigns to achieve immunity. (70% of the adult population) ".
On the controversy over Brussels' management of vaccines, Breton explains that "last year the EU concluded contracts with 6 pharmaceutical companies that were developing potential vaccines, securing a portfolio of over 2.6 billion doses", but "To produce vaccines on this scale, an unprecedented increase in production capacity across Europe is required."
"On the one hand - acknowledges Breton -, I must unfortunately note that a manufacturer, AstraZeneca, does not meet the expectations and contractual commitments, having delivered only 30 of the 120 million doses promised by March 31. On the other hand, there are two producers, BioNTech and Moderna, who are respecting their commitments ".
Regarding the possibility of using the Russian Sputnik V in the EU, subject to EMA authorization, Breton reiterates that "to date, the EU already has a large portfolio of safe and efficient vaccines already authorized and in production mass. Today, we have 4 approved vaccines, and probably a fifth very soon. Our priority now is to increase the production of these vaccines, not to seek new deals. "
The Commissioner for the Internal Market also confirms that, as regards the Stability Pact clause which allowed governments to deviate from budgetary requirements to cope with the crisis, "the current preliminary indications seem to suggest continuing to apply the flexibility clause. in 2022 and to deactivate it starting from 2023 ".
Faced with the challenges of Big Tech, Breton believes that "the time has come for Europe to establish its own terms and conditions that platforms must comply with. This is the goal of the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act: to create a space digital safer for EU citizens, where citizens' fundamental rights are protected as users of these digital services and at the same time create market conditions that promote innovation, growth and competitiveness, both in the single market European and worldwide ".
(HANDLE).