United Kingdom and European Union disputes over AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine supply

AstraZeneca’s contract to supply 100 vaccines dealing with the UK commits to make  “best reasonable efforts.” The same deal with the European Union was criticized and blamed for the bloc’s faltering inoculation program.

A few months ago, the contract was published online without fanfare contained in a redacted version, long before the UK and the EU became embroiled in a bitter dispute over vaccine supply.

A junior UK government minister said in a recent interview that publishing the contract would risk national security.

European Union leaders and AstraZeneca engaged in a public war of words in late January after the company advised the 27-country union that it would deliver tens of millions fewer doses than agreed by the end of March.

The EU then published its own redacted agreement with AstraZeneca. A comparison between the two contracts is now possible.