EU countries to start vaccinations on ‘same day’ as a sign of unity

 European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the 27 member countries of the European Union  aim to start COVID-19 vaccinations on “the same day” in a sign of unity, reported AFP.

Leyen’s announcement came as pressure mounted on the bloc to catch up with the United States and Britain, which have already started inoculating people with a vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Leyen told MEPs, “To get to the end of the pandemic, we will need up to 70% of the population vaccinated. This is a huge task, a big task. So let’s start as soon as possible with the vaccination together, as 27, with a start at the same day.”

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As Britain and the US started vaccinations, Germany, which is home to BioNTech and von der Leyen, pressed for the EMA to allow the jab to be made available before Christmas.

This prompted the European Medicines Agency to bring forward to next Monday a special meeting originally planned a week later to discuss conditional approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Although EU states have the option of individually going ahead with vaccinations earlier under EMA emergency rules, the European Commission wants a coordinated roll-out across the bloc to ensure no member state is left behind.

Von der Leyen emphasised that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was only one of six potential jabs for which the EU has secured contracts.

“Finally, within a week, the first vaccine will be authorised so that vaccinations can start immediately, and more will follow in the new year,” she said.

“In total, we have bought more than enough doses for everyone in Europe. And we will be able to support our neighbours and our partners around the world through COVAX so that no one is left behind.”

COVAX is an initiative launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Commission and France to ensure that vaccines proven to be effective and safe are made available to all countries, and not only rich ones able to pre-emptively buy up doses.