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Updated March 23rd, 2021 at 19:18 IST

European Union official hits out at AstraZeneca

A leading European Union official on Tuesday lashed out at the AstraZeneca for its shortfall in producing COVID-19 vaccine doses for the 27-nation bloc.

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A leading European Union official on Tuesday lashed out at the AstraZeneca for its shortfall in producing COVID-19 vaccine doses for the 27-nation bloc.

Sandra Gallina, the chief of the European Commission's health division, told legislators that while vaccine producers like Pfizer and Moderna have largely met their commitments, "the problem has been AstraZeneca".

The European Union has been criticised at home and abroad for its slow rollout of its vaccine drive to the citizens, standing at about a third of jabs given to their citizens compared with nations like the United States and United Kingdom.

Gallina said the overwhelming responsibility lay with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was supposed to be the work horse of the drive, because it is cheaper and easier to transport.

The vaccine was supposed to be delivered in huge amounts in the first half of 2021.

"We are not even receiving a quarter of such deliveries", Gallina said, adding AstraZeneca could expect a response from the EU.

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Published March 23rd, 2021 at 19:17 IST

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