After several countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to reports of blood clots, the Anglo-Swedish company faces more roadblocks in delivering 30 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to the EU. 

AstraZeneca is supposed to supply the jabs by the end of March but it largely depends on the European Medicines Agency(EMA)’s approval, reports Reuters. 

The vaccine factory in the Netherlands run by subcontractor Halix is yet to be approved by the EU’s drug regulator. 

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According to AstraZeneca’s original contract with the bloc, it was supposed to supply 90 million doses. This came down to 40 million last month and is now at 30 million. 

According to a document seen by Reuters, AstraZeneca assumes that the Leiden factory will get approval by March 25 and has earmarked 10 doses of the vaccine in the week that follows. 

Also Read: WHO backs AstraZeneca vaccine safety amid blood clot, allergies concerns

On Saturday, a European Commission spokesperson said that the EU executive was in talks with AstraZeneca and would make sure the company honours its commitments but did not comment on the Halix approval.  

When asked about potential sanctions, the spokesperson said, “What matters is that we ensure the delivery of a sufficient number of doses in line with the company’s earlier commitments. We are looking at all options to make this happen.”

European Union leaders have been sharply criticized in recent months for the delay in its COVID-19 vaccination drive and subsequent mismanagement in supplies. AstraZeneca and other drug companies have repeatedly delayed the supply and subsequent rollout of the vaccination drive in the EU. 

AstraZeneca in a statement given on Friday said it “aims” to deliver 70 million doses to the EU between April and June, despite contractual obligations for 180 million shots. Explaining the lag, it said restrictions had prevented AstraZeneca from boosting supplies to the EU from its global network to make up for production problems in the EU supply chain.

While the World Health Organization has said there is no reason to stop the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Austria and Italy have banned its use after Norway reported an “unexpected death from a brain haemorrhage” after receiving the shot.