EU to end AstraZeneca and J&J vaccine contracts at expiry

The EU Commission in agreement with the leaders of many (EU) countries, has decided not to renew COVID-19 vaccine contracts next year with companies such as Astrazeneca and Johnson & Johnson (J&J). 

Brussels has agreed to focus on COVID-19 vaccines using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, such as Pfizer’s and Moderna’s.

The European Commission is seeking clarification from J&J about the company’s “completely unexpected” announcement of delays in COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the EU, an EU official told reporters on Tuesday.

MTO/Reuters