Italy blocks export of AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia as tensions rise over jab access

Credit: AP

Italy became the first country to impose an EU export ban on coronavirus vaccines on Thursday after blocking a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca jabs to Australia.

Brussels introduced the export transparency regime during its row over supply shortfalls with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company at the end of January. 

Under the new rules, manufacturers in the EU must ask national authorities in the country of production and the European Commission for permission to export vaccines outside of the EU. 

Italy blocked the export of the vaccines and the commission did not raise any objections, the Financial Times reported. Rome notified Brussels of its decision at the end of last week. 

EU allies such as Canada and Britain had raised their concerns about the regime, which was a response to fears that vaccines bought by Brussels were being shipped elsewhere. 

The commission was angered in January after AstraZeneca said it would miss targets for vaccine deliveries in the first quarter of the year. 

Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister, called for stricter export controls at an EU Summit last month.

Belgium, Sweden, France and Germany have lifted age restrictions on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in response to data showing it is safe for the over 55s and in a bid to kickstart their stalled vaccination roll out campaigns. 

The FT reported that the Italian government, the commission and AstraZeneca all refused to comment.