Covid Vaccine - Page 3

Democracy is where the needs of all the people are equal

With all due respect, it is the current vaccination roll-out in Spain which concerns me as a resident here. I appreciate people are concerned about this in their own country but this forum is mainly aimed at residents of Spain and in particular, La marina so we need to know what is happening on our won doorstep, so to speak. I shall say no more on the subject. It has now dragged on and on for far too long. End it here.There is nothing to be gained by any further discussion on the matter.

So now they are letting the rest of the world suffer because of their greed. Foresight has nothing to do with it. It is just not acceptable for one country to hog all or most of the available vaccine. The entire world needs it. Final say on this subject. Anyway, you are not in Spain now so you should be ok. Spare a thought for those of use permanent residents here in Spain who have no idea when we are likely to get the vaccinations. 

Nikkimunmday The UK refused to join in the EU's purchasing scheme for the vaccine and decided to go it alone. They ordered the vaccine from four separate suppliers last year. At the moment, as far as I am aware, the EU has not approved the vaccine for use, whereas the UK has vaccinated almost 10% of its population. Four european countries were of the same opinion i.e. order their own supplies of the vaccine, but were told that it would be an EU wide initiative. They are all now three months behind the curve. So why should the UK, who took the chance on the proving of the vaccines efficacy share with the EU. I am pretty certain that, based on the attitude of the French to UK exports, that they would not have shared if the boot were on the other foot.

James1212. AstraZeneca a USA/UK/Swedish company is providing the vaccine at cost to everyone who ordered it. This is being done in the order that they were placed. France lobbied for the EU to use the French vaccine which has not proved to be effective, so now they are scrambling around for other sources of a proven vaccine. The German one Pfizer is, I believe,10 times more expensive.

Unfortunately most developing countries don’t have the financial resources to compete with richer countries who have placed preorders with the main pharma companies. These preorders facilitated the development of the vaccines, but mean that other nations have to wait. The nationality of the pharma companies isn’t really relevant to this particular issue - it’s more about who can afford it. 

I am not politically savvy, but from what I understand, the French are ‘annoyed’ with the British because of fishing rights, yes, I could be wrong but perhaps being helpful with other countries over the vaccine, friendships etc., could be developed, thus, thinking of the film “Miss Congeniality “ , world peace (to some extent) could be achieved .... perhaps I’m a wishful dreamer!! I believe nations are getting too aggressive , this is a world wide pandemic, work together, that may be the answer!!!

James1212 The point of showing the nationality of the company was to show that it is not partisan in its efforts. They are a worldwide company and as such have made available the vaccine at cost to those who place orders. The amount which countries purchase, I believe, does not make a difference as to when they receive the vaccine. I am led to believe that companies, especially pharma companies, are very aware that any generic manufacture of their product reflects on them. In saying that most of these companies have struck up relationships with other manufacturers to supply the vaccine when they have proved their ability to maintain the high standards of manufacture needed.

I didn’t say the companies were partisan. I was arguing that vaccines should be provided more equitably across the world. This is not happening currently due to the purchasing power of the wealthy nations and blocks. 

Denden1 I agree that might be a good starting point. So how do you square the circle when the EU during the Brexit negotiations continually stated that what the UK wanted was irrelevant to the EU as their primary concern was the wants and needs of EU citizens. How are the UK to approach this idea of sharing their order with AstraZeneca when the EU are to require Pfizer to inform them before any vaccine is exported to third countries, of which the UK is one? Let's face the problem head on. The way in which the EU decides how it manages the needs of its residents has led to a delay in ordering the vaccines. They are now under pressure from the German Press (among others) for this delay which is costing lives. Why should the UK government sacrifice the life chances of its citizens to bolster those of another entity who have told them, in their eyes, their citizens come first?