Peter Liese on the EU vaccine policy: Of course, European Union could have done better but the core problem is the US export ban and the “UK first”-policy
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Johnson & Johnson authorisation expected on Thursday, delivery unfortunately much later
"Of course, the vaccine procurement in the European Union could have been better. The European People’s Party (EPP) already asked for the creation of a European institution for the procurement of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals in March last year and one reason why the US is faster in vaccination is that this institution existed already since 2006 which means not Donald Trump has created it but George W. Bush,” said the health spokesperson of the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr med. Peter Liese.
“However, the most important reason for the different situation in the US and the UK compared to the European Union is that Europe is supplying the world and the US has an export ban. This has been introduced by Donald Trump but unfortunately, Joe Biden has not lifted it but even extended the respective rule until June. In this case, Biden is behaving like Trump and we should not let him go with this. Especially on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the difference is significant. The US production is only supplying the US and Europe serves the world. The BioNTech vaccine that is produced in Germany and filled and finished in Puurs, Belgium, is going not only to the whole EU but also to the rest of the world including Mexico and Canada. If the US only supply themselves and we supply the world, this cannot work out. Even worse is the case in the UK because we know that significant amounts of the AstraZeneca vaccine went from the continent to the UK, for example, from the plant in Dessau IDT Biologika in Dessau, Germany, and still the company is not ready to give vaccine that is produced in the UK to supply the European Union. They even wanted to export from the European Union to third countries. It was more than right that Italy blocked this export and in my view, this should have only been the first step. When we speak about mistakes of the European Commission, the main mistake was that the export control mechanism was not introduced earlier. This could have avoided the delivery of AstraZeneca vaccine from the continent to the United Kingdom. With BioNTech/Pfizer the case is different, because they live up to their commitment to the European Union, but still I think we should consider a more active approach here. The WTO rules allow an export ban, when it is necessary to protect people’s health and this is definitely the case here,” the EPP-MEP and doctor stated.
If we all stay reasonable and patient for some more weeks now, spring and summer 2021 will be much better than spring and summer 2020
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Reduce the incidence and then open step by step with more vaccination every day
"If all stay reasonable and patient for some more weeks now, spring and summer 2021 will be much better than spring and summer 2020,” said the spokesman on health of the biggest parliamentary group (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr. med. Peter Liese. Liese said that the situation in some of the EU member states is still very problematic and one shouldn’t open up the public life too hasty.
“The developments in Ireland, Portugal and Slovakia show what can happen when we don’t have the virus under control,” said Liese. On the other hand, Liese said that he is very optimistic. “When looking at spring, we will have more and more vaccine every week. If we have vaccinated the elderly and the medical stuff and if the weather allows us to be much more outside, we can afford much more without putting another stress test to our health care systems. But we have to be patient for some weeks.” Liese insisted that the member states need to co-ordinate much more when it comes to incoming flights from areas with a high incidence of coronavirus mutants like South Africa and Brazil. Every traveller from these countries should be under strong quarantine and unnecessary flights should be avoided completely. Unfortunately, also border controls inside the European Union are necessary. In Czech Republic, for example, the incidence is very high. A colleague from Czech Republic who is not from EPP, literally said: ‘Babiš messed it up.’ That’s why it’s understandable that neighbour countries react with strict border controls. In this case, I cannot defend the position of the European Commission,” said the doctor and MEP.
European Medicines Agency launches first step of authorisation process for Russian vaccine Sputnik V
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Independent, scientific review particularly important in this case / Questionable whether Sputnik V can help us quickly / 6 vaccine manufacturers have already moved on
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) today launched a so-called rolling review procedure for the Russian vaccine Sputnik V. This is the first step in the EU's vaccine authorisation process. The Russian Gamaleja Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology now has the opportunity to gradually submit its scientific findings on the efficacy, safety and quality of the vaccine. The scientific experts will review these and if this scientific analysis is positive, a marketing authorisation application can be officially submitted. Sputnik is the seventh vaccine now being examined in this procedure. In addition to the three authorised vaccines from Biontech/Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca and the vaccine from Johnson&Johnson whose authorisation is expected on 11 March, the American company Novavax and the German-based company Curevac long ago begun the rolling review.
“Sputnik is therefore only number seven in this question,” noted MEP and health policy spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats), Dr. med. Peter Liese. "I welcome the fact that independent, scientific experts are now analysing and evaluating the Russian data. As with the other vaccine candidates, the data will be assessed on a purely scientific basis. I do not rule out the possibility that the vaccine will be assessed as effective and can be used in Europe. Anything that helps us fight the pandemic is of course welcome. However, I remain sceptical. The clinical data presented by the Gamaleja Institute on Sputnik V still have a big question mark for me, and the publication in the scientific journal Lancet has raised critical questions.
BioNTech factory in Marburg starts production ahead of schedule
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Success thanks to hard work and not through complaining / Myth: Europe ordered vaccine too late and spent too little money / Not everything is perfect, but others would have more reason to admit mistakes
"That the BioNTech factory in Marburg is brought to service earlier is a great success and a sign that getting down to business is more important than complaining. In the last few months, those responsible at BioNTech as well as representatives of the regional and national German government and the EU have worked hard to make the commissioning possible. In many discussions with BioNTech and the Hessian government, among others, I have tried to add my part as a small contribution. The factory is close to my heart because it is a game changer for Europe in pandemic control and because I once visited it personally during my student days studying medicine in Marburg. The example shows what needs to be done now: The bringing into service was not achieved by complaining towards the pharmaceutical industry or the political leaders in Germany and EU, but by working hard," said the health spokesperson of the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr med Peter Liese.
Read more: BioNTech factory in Marburg starts production ahead of schedule