Sputnik V vaccine financier discusses support from EU leaders
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Speaking to French radio RTL on Friday, the French European Affairs Minister called on fellow member states not to use Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Sinopharm vaccines unless they are approved by the bloc’s medicines regulator, warning of a risk to the bloc’s unity and public health.
He said: “If they were to choose the Chinese and/or Russian vaccine, I think it would be quite serious.
“It would pose a problem in terms of our solidarity, and it would pose a health risk problem, because the Russian vaccine is not yet authorised in Europe.”
The comments sparked the furious reaction of the Russian vaccine providers, who took to Twitter to lambast Mr Beaune.
A spokesperson for the vaccine tweeted from the official Sputnik V account: “Dear Clement Beaune, EU solidarity should be about saving European lives by giving access to a portfolio of vaccines, including Sputnik V already registered by 45 nations.
“EU confirmed that EU countries have a right to order Sputnik V directly.”
Mr Beaune was quick to respond to the tweet, arguing France is not playing political games over the procurement and the administration of vaccines, despite his explicit call on member states not to order more vials before the Europe’s medicines regulator (EMA) approves them.
He wrote: “All is said.
“We do not play politics with the vaccine: scientific criteria apply to everyone, no more and no less.
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“We practice European solidarity every day, in the orders and distribution of doses.”
The French minister also sparked a row at home with Presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon who was quick to extend his attack to President Macron over his vaccination strategy fiasco.
The La France Insoumise member of the French Assembly sai was the guest of Francis Letellier on TV show ‘Dimanche Politique’.
He highlighted the government’s improvisation on the issue of vaccines.
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In particular, he explained that vaccination targets changed from week to week and that President Macron’s government had been guilty of a form of inaction by refusing to speed up the rollout of the Russian vaccine.
He said: “With Macron, there’s only improvisation and disaster in terms of vaccines
“On vaccines, we have a stupid attitude. (…)
“The European system consists of getting vaccines everywhere except in the place that annoys Europe.”
The comments prompted French Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher to defend President Macron and his team.
She said: “Jean-Luc Melenchon definitely has a problem with the facts, but the facts are stubborn: the nationality of a vaccine is not a criterion of choice.
“Only proven efficiency and safety matter.
“Sputnik vaccine has – finally – sent its data to @EMA_News to do its job.”
Some member states in Central Europe have already bought or are considering to buy the Russian and the Chinese jabs to inoculate their populations.
Hungary started administering people with Sinopharm and Sputnik V last month, and Poland has discussed being the Chinese vaccine.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also considering the Russian vaccine for approval ahead of the EMA’s decision.
The Italian region of Lazio said it would seek one million doses of Sputnik V if approved by the EMA, while the government of the tiny independent enclave of San Marino said it had started using the Russian vaccine last week.
Thousands of people across France flocked to vaccination centres on Sunday as the government stepped up inoculations against the coronavirus to ease the load on hospitals and stave off further restrictions.
But the country is still lagging behind many in the EU and outside the bloc.
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega
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