Questions over efficacy, blood-clot fears, threats to block exports, and its sluggish supply – the distribution of vaccines has been causing a major division across Europe, particularly between the EU and the UK.
This week on the Agenda Podcast we look at how the two blocs have approached the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and how today's disputes could affect the vaccine procurement of tomorrow and beyond.
With France and Germany both having witnessed vaccine hesitation within their populations, we ask Pieter Cleppe, editor-in-chief of Brussels Report, about why that might be – as well as whether Brexit is to blame for a seemingly cold reception towards the UK's AstraZeneca jab [02:34].
We also speak to Lawrence Young, virologist and specialist in molecular oncology at the University of Warwick. He explains how damaging vaccine nationalism can be to fighting COVID-19 [10:24].
Finally we also speak to David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project. He explains what he thinks the EU must do to emerge from the vaccine setback with strength and stability going forward [12.42].