Advertisement

UK 'has walked away from EU coronavirus vaccine scheme'

In this file picture taken on April 29, 2020, an engineer works at the Quality Control Laboratory on an experimental vaccine for the COVID-19 coronavirus at the Sinovac Biotech facilities in Beijing: AFP via Getty Images
In this file picture taken on April 29, 2020, an engineer works at the Quality Control Laboratory on an experimental vaccine for the COVID-19 coronavirus at the Sinovac Biotech facilities in Beijing: AFP via Getty Images

Ministers have rejected offers to join a European Union bid for a coronavirus vaccine amid anger at “costly delays”, according to sources.

The EU is planning to spend around €2bn (£1.8bn) on the advance purchase of vaccines that are undergoing testing on behalf of the 27 member states.

The UK has been holding talks with Brussels over the scheme for weeks, which aims to leverage the bloc’s collective bargaining power to strike deals with global pharmaceutical giants.

But Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, is believed to have walked away from the opportunity after not receiving “sufficient assurance” that the UK would get enough vaccines on time, The Telegraph reported.

Mr Sharma said the Government is aiming for 30 million coronavirus vaccine doses to be made available by September if the UK trials succeed.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK

Read more

UK quarantine rules ease as WHO warns crisis is 'getting worse'- LIVE

One in six Brits 'would refuse Covid vaccine' amid conspiracy theories

UK should 'prepare for the worst' this winter, expert warns

Health boss warns vaccine will not be 'silver bullet' to end Covid-19

Potential UK virus vaccine to be tested in US as Brits now at low risk