The EU and AstraZeneca, the developers of one of the main Covid-19 vaccines, have failed to resolve a clash regarding the transparency of deliveries to the block as they struggle to meet vaccine demand.
AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine
Photo: AstraZeneca
Both parties entered negotiations on Wednesday and have described the talks as "constructive" as they work to settle the issue as efficiently as possible.
Read more: UK vaccine production may face supply disruption
The EU signed a deal with AstraZeneca in August for 300 million doses of their vaccine with an option for 100 million more, but the UK-based pharmaceutical company blames factory delays for their failure to deliver.
AstraZeneca's CEO said the company were a few months behind schedule.
The dispute escalated on Wednesday after the EU said AstraZeenca must use its UK production plant to supply vaccines to the bloc. The company rebuked this claim by saying their goal does not bind it to the original delivery schedule.
Stella Kyriakides, the EU's health commissioner, said the bloc remains united in their belief the contracts must be met.
The jab has not yet been approved by the EU, but it is expected for rollout within a few days. It is one of eight vaccines currently in the circulation of some form across the bloc.
Read more: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine submitted for EU regulation
However, EU officials claim AstraZeneca s only planning to deliver on around one-quarter of the agreed-upon amount within the first three months and that the company has diverted deliveries from the EU to meet UK demand.
AstraZeneca denies this, citing supply chain disruptions owing to the pandemic.
The EU is also facing disruptions in rolling out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and has been facing harsh criticism for its slow adoption of vaccines.
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