The British Government has turned down the opportunity to join a European Union coronavirus vaccine scheme after ministers expressed concern over “costly delays”, It has been reported in various media publications.
Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, is believed to have walked away from the plan after failing to secure “sufficient assurance” that the UK would receive the number of vaccines it needs on time.
The European Commission is expected to be notified today (10/07/2020) of Britain’s decision not to join the vaccine scheme, according to reports from the Telegraph.
British negotiations have been in talks with the Brussels over the collective scheme for some weeks, it involves the bloc using its ‘collective bargaining power’ to strike deals with international drugs companies to supply a vaccine for European Union member states.
The EU says this collective bargaining power will enable the bloc to drive the price of a potential vaccine or drug, however British officials have argued that the benefits of this are “limited” as most pharmaceutical companies are already offering the United Kingdom similar prices to other countries.
With the United Kingdom no longer being a member of the European Union, it would have no control in which companies are involved in these negotiations, pricing or the timetable for delivering the vaccine, according to insiders.
“The terms just weren’t right for us. The EU scheme wouldn’t allow the UK to do anything more than it currently is,” one source said.
With trails for a suitable vaccine underway around the world, there is expected to be severe demand when successful treatment is found.
The United Kingdom has already secured a bilateral deal with Oxford University and the pharma giant AstraZeneca, as well as Imperial College London, to accelerate trials of a vaccine.
HM’s Government has also invested up to £93 million in a new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre, which is currently under construction in Oxford.
Minister claims when it opens next year, it will be able to produce enough vaccine doses for the entire UK population in as little six months.
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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