Rome implemented against the Anglo-Swedish laboratory AstraZeneca, for the first time, the European mechanism which makes it possible to prevent vaccine exports outside the continent.

This decision, taken in agreement with Brussels, puts pressure on the pharmaceutical giant, which has not honored its commitments to the EU.

Mario Draghi and the EU tighten the bridle at AstraZeneca.

Brussels has authorized Rome to block the export of 250,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine from pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to Australia, Italian media reported Thursday.

It is the first time that the Europeans show their teeth and draw the weapon of the export control of vaccines.

And it is no coincidence that this mechanism was used against AstraZeneca: the Anglo-Swedish giant puts the nerves of the 27 on edge because it does not keep its commitments.

AstraZeneca was indeed to deliver to Europeans more than 100 million doses in the first quarter, but only 40 million will be sent.

And the explanations of the leaders of the company did not convince Brussels at all.

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Italy has therefore decided to take action and block doses bottled in a factory near Rome.

This decision, taken by the new Prime Minister Mario Draghi in agreement with the European Commission, was also communicated to other European partners, including France.

"If we had not acted, everyone would have thought that Europe has no teeth," a European source has to say.  

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A way to justify too slow implementation of vaccination campaigns

However, Brussels defends itself against protectionist temptation.

"Since January, more than 170 export requests filed by Pfizer have been validated. We do not intend to attack companies that respect their commitments," retorts a diplomat.

The decision against AstraZeneca is in any case timely, it takes some pressure off the shoulders of European leaders, criticized for the slowness of vaccination on the continent.

While contaminations are on the rise in Europe, the WHO is calling on governments to speed up injections.