The N-VA has serious questions about the European deal for the coronavirus vaccine

The N-VA is asking for more clarity about the European vaccine project that Belgium is joining. “It’s a good thing that this country is ordering coronavirus vaccines for its people. However, the fact that we are latching onto a European project without any guarantee that the vaccine will actually be sufficiently available to our citizens and the special clause in which the company requests exemption from liability for harmful side effects raises questions.”

There is a global race between countries and regions to ensure the supply of coronavirus vaccines as soon as they reach the market. The European Commission reached an agreement earlier this summer with the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for 300 million doses of its vaccine. The research on that vaccine, developed at Oxford University, is one of the most advanced projects worldwide.

Millions of vaccines, but there’s a catch

A Belgian advisory committee that examined the vaccine recommended that we join the project. That is how we have secured our first coronavirus vaccine: millions of doses of the vaccine will be reserved for this country. Nevertheless, there’s a catch, the N-VA discovered. “The pharmaceutical company is seeking exemption from liability. Simply put, if the vaccine causes harmful side effects after a few years, it doesn’t want to pay compensation.”

No guarantee whatsoever for the number of available vaccines

The N-VA is concerned. “It is good that our government has finally set up a working group on the coronavirus vaccine. What does worry us, however, is that we are once again dependent on the European Commission without any guarantee as to the number of vaccines that will be available for our country. Moreover, we currently have no idea of the price and the accessibility for our patients.”

Worrying liability clause

In addition, the liability clause is highly unusual. In it, the company seeks exemption from liability for harmful side effects. “In our opinion, Europe is rushing to catch up with the United States on this, and we risk undermining the quality of scientific control in this way. We must strive for an affordable and reliable vaccine. We are not helped with half deals.”

Finally, the special liability clause sets an important precedent for the European market. “This places the risk of the blurring of scientific precision entirely on the government, which is a cause for concern for us.”