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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UK poised to shun EU coronavirus vaccine scheme | UK poised to shun EU coronavirus vaccine scheme |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Commission negotiating with Johnson & Johnson to put Europeans at head of queue | Commission negotiating with Johnson & Johnson to put Europeans at head of queue |
| The UK government is poised to reject involvement in the EU coronavirus vaccines scheme by the end of Friday, in a significant blow to attempts to put all Europeans at the head of the queue for a potential remedy, it is understood. | The UK government is poised to reject involvement in the EU coronavirus vaccines scheme by the end of Friday, in a significant blow to attempts to put all Europeans at the head of the queue for a potential remedy, it is understood. |
| The European commission has said the UK’s decision to shun an EU plan to secure supplies of potential vaccines would not derail its negotiations with manufacturers. | The European commission has said the UK’s decision to shun an EU plan to secure supplies of potential vaccines would not derail its negotiations with manufacturers. |
| The UK government’s decision comes despite evidence of an international battle among rich countries to buy up coronavirus drugs. The White House has purchased much of the world supply of remdesivir, a drug used to treat coronavirus symptoms. Brussels’ major selling point to vaccine manufacturers is the size of the European market, which is diminished by Britain going its own way. | The UK government’s decision comes despite evidence of an international battle among rich countries to buy up coronavirus drugs. The White House has purchased much of the world supply of remdesivir, a drug used to treat coronavirus symptoms. Brussels’ major selling point to vaccine manufacturers is the size of the European market, which is diminished by Britain going its own way. |
| A commission spokesman said: “The negotiations are ongoing with a series of vaccine producers. These are intensive negotiations which the commission is carrying out on behalf of the different member states. | A commission spokesman said: “The negotiations are ongoing with a series of vaccine producers. These are intensive negotiations which the commission is carrying out on behalf of the different member states. |
| “The fact that the UK has apparently said it would not join up to whatever scheme, whatever contracts, we are able to negotiate is definitely not something which is going to inform our negotiations. We believe that the EU, with its significant population, represents an interesting market for the companies with which we are negotiating. | “The fact that the UK has apparently said it would not join up to whatever scheme, whatever contracts, we are able to negotiate is definitely not something which is going to inform our negotiations. We believe that the EU, with its significant population, represents an interesting market for the companies with which we are negotiating. |
| The UK’s decision is expected to be formally communicated to the commission by the end of Friday. Whitehall sources said it had become clear that involvement would have left the UK without a voice on which vaccines to procure, or on their delivery times. Cooperation would have also prevented the UK from opening separate talks with any manufacturer in ongoing negotiations with Brussels. | The UK’s decision is expected to be formally communicated to the commission by the end of Friday. Whitehall sources said it had become clear that involvement would have left the UK without a voice on which vaccines to procure, or on their delivery times. Cooperation would have also prevented the UK from opening separate talks with any manufacturer in ongoing negotiations with Brussels. |
| The EU has been holding weeks of talks with the US firm Johnson & Johnson. Brussels plans to use a €2.7bn emergency fund to seal advance purchase agreements. A spokesman said the commission had not received any formal notification from the UK of its decision. The UK is eligible to be involved under the withdrawal agreement that came into force when the country left the EU on 31 January. | The EU has been holding weeks of talks with the US firm Johnson & Johnson. Brussels plans to use a €2.7bn emergency fund to seal advance purchase agreements. A spokesman said the commission had not received any formal notification from the UK of its decision. The UK is eligible to be involved under the withdrawal agreement that came into force when the country left the EU on 31 January. |
| Under the EU’s proposed scheme, the commission will finance finance part of the vaccine producer’s upfront costs in exchange for the right to buy a specified number of doses at an agreed price and timeframe. | |
| The expected announcement by the UK, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, has been a cause of disappointment to the Wellcome Trust, a medical research charity. | |
| Alex Harris, head of global policy at the foundation, said: “The EU vaccine initiative’s cap on how many doses participating countries get is the best way to ensure there is enough vaccine for those in need in the rest of the world. | |
| “Delivering vaccine according to need and not who can pay the highest price, is not just morally right, but also the fastest way to end this pandemic. | |
| “We urge the UK government to follow the EU’s lead and only secure vaccine doses for those who need it most (healthcare workers, over 65s and other vulnerable groups).” |