British laboratory AstraZeneca plans to deliver to the European Union only a quarter of the vaccines scheduled for the first quarter of 2021, according to the authorities.

The latter called on the vaccine manufacturer to honor the planned deliveries, which in theory must mobilize two factories in the United Kingdom.

The European Union is asking the British laboratory AstraZeneca to deliver anti-Covid-19 vaccines produced in two factories in the United Kingdom as agreed, while the group now plans to deliver in the first quarter only "a quarter" of promised doses, according to an EU official.

"It is unacceptable to see the delivery schedule reduced to a fraction," to "a quarter of what was supposed to be delivered to us" in the first quarter, said the official.

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Four factories mobilized in total

The signed contract provides that AstraZeneca would mobilize four factories, including two in the United Kingdom, to produce the doses intended for the EU, which Brussels asks it to do, it is recalled from a European source, against the affirmations of the boss of the laboratory ensuring to reserve in London the production of its British sites.

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Ahead of an EU regulatory green light for the vaccine expected on Friday, AstraZeneca announced last week that deliveries would be smaller than expected in the first quarter due to a "drop in yield" at a European manufacturing site.

Withdrawal from the meeting

The group was summoned twice on Monday to explain itself to member states and the European Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of the Twenty-Seven.

His justifications were deemed "unsatisfactory" and another meeting was scheduled for Wednesday evening.

A senior European official assured AFP Wednesday morning that AstraZeneca had "withdrawn" from the meeting, information confirmed at midday at a press conference by a spokesperson for the European Commission.