WORLD

France’s Europe minister accuses the UK of ignoring scientific advice & “taking many risks”

2 February, 2021
Oliver Down

France’s Europe minister has taken aim at Britain and has accused it of ignoring scientific advice and risking lives via its breakneck speed coronavirus vaccine rollout. Clement Beaune, who is an ally of President Emmanuel Macron has stated that they feel the UK has been “taking many risks” in its vaccine scheme. He has questioned Britain’s decision to give out doses 12 weeks apart as well as the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

When asked about if he felt the EU’s handling of the pandemic was an advert for Brexit, Mr Beaune stated: “It has nothing to do with Brexit, but I understand that you make the comparison. The British are in an extremely difficult health situation. They are taking many risks in this vaccination campaign. And I can understand it, but they are taking many risks. They have massively spaced, and the scientists have told us not to, the two injections apart to up to 42 days”.

He went on to say: “They mainly depend on one vaccine, AstraZeneca. The European authority will tell us tomorrow, but Germany has already told us about doubts regarding the effectiveness in people above 65. The UK has used the vaccine in this age group. So, I understand that if they are in a difficult health situation, they take additional risks, that I do not think our citizens would accept if we took all those risks despite the recommendations of our scientists”.  

Mr Beaune has also suggested that the EU will seek to punish AstraZeneca, if it fails to deliver sufficient doses to member states. He has said: “I don’t want suspicion or conspiracy, but we need clarity and transparency. At the moment, there is an investigation that is in the process of being finalised to see precisely what was delivered in Europe and to the UK from factories that produce in Europe. If there has been a preference granted to the British, then that’s a problem”.

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