PM details vaccine contracts, discussions with AstraZeneca and EU

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has detailed Australia’s agreements with AstraZeneca following claims the European Union was responsible for the glacial pace of the vaccine rollout – stressing he was not criticising the EU’s actions. “At no time yesterday did I make any comment about the actions of the European Union, nor did I indicate any of the background reasons for the lack of supply that we have received from those contracted doses," he said. “So any suggestion that I – in any way – made some criticism of the European Union yesterday would be completely incorrect. “I simply stated a fact; that 3.1 million doses of the contracted vaccine that we have been relying upon in early January, when we’d set out a series of targets, did not turn up in Australia.” The prime minister proceeded to layout a timeline of Australia’s contacts with AstraZeneca over vaccine supply and distribution – beginning with a contract reached with the vaccine manufacturer on September 9 for 3.8 million doses to be delivered in January and February.