The EU is launching a push to approve the Pfizer/ BioNTech coronavirus vaccine next week, after European leaders demanded to know why the approval process on the continent is taking longer than that in the UK.
Bloomberg says countries’ leaders have “struggled to explain” to their respective nations why they’re still waiting for shots that are already being rolled out in the US and UK - a “particular sore spot” given that the Pfizer vaccine was pioneered in Germany.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
With European leaders pressing for a compressed approval timeline for the vaccine, the European Drugs Agency has announced that a key advisory committee meeting, originally planned for after Christmas, will be brought forward to Monday.
The European Commission hopes to clear the way for shipping of the first shots to vaccine centres to begin as early as next Wednesday.
According to reports, discussions over the timing of the approval became “heated” during an EU summit last week, with several national experts accused of being slow in responding to the European Medicines Agency.
Politico says the UK managed to green-light the Pfizer jab so quickly by exploiting “an EU mechanism that allows member countries to temporarily approve a drug during an emergency” .
Although EU countries would be able to approve the vaccine under the same regulations, they wouldn’t be able to receive doses of the jab as these have been negotiated at EU level.
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
What to do if you want to move but don't want to give up your low mortgage ratethe explainer 30-year mortgage rates are currently averaging 7% — and homeowners who secured rates closer to 3% during the pandemic are reluctant to sell their homes
-
Crossword: September 1, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Viktor Orban: is time up for Europe's longest-serving premier?Today's Big Question Hungarian PM's power is under threat 'but not in the way – or from the people – one might expect'
-
Is the G7 still relevant?Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meetingSpeed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
-
Why are Europe's leaders raising red flags about Trump's Ukraine overtures to Putin?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Officials from across the continent warn that any peace plan without their input is doomed from the start
