Britain will work with EU to avoid vaccine disruption, UK health minister says

Britain will be able to work with the European Union to ensure there is no disruption to vaccine supplies, health minister Matt Hancock said on Tuesday, saying protectionism was not the right approach after an EU proposal to restrict the exports of shots. "I'm sure that we can work with the EU to ensure that, whilst transparency is welcome, that no blockers are put in place," he said at an event hosted by Chatham House, adding he had spoken to the chief executives of Pfizer and AstraZeneca. "I'm confident of the supply of vaccine into the UK.

Britain will be able to work with the European Union to ensure there is no disruption to vaccine supplies, health minister Matt Hancock said on Tuesday, saying protectionism was not the right approach after an EU proposal to restrict the exports of shots.

"I'm sure that we can work with the EU to ensure that, whilst transparency is welcome, that no blockers are put in place," he said at an event hosted by Chatham House, adding he had spoken to the chief executives of Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

"I'm confident of the supply of vaccine into the UK. I'm confident that won't be disrupted. But I would urge all international partners in fact to be collaborative and working closely together, and I think protectionism is not the right approach in the middle of a pandemic."