LETTERS: Hoarding of Covid-19 vaccines has been a theme in the public debate in Malaysia in recent days, and in this context, the European Union (EU) has been mentioned.
We – 15 Ambassadors of the EU and its Member States in Malaysia - recognise the actions and efforts that Malaysia is not sparing in order to contain the pandemic.
We wish to share facts and precise figures about what the EU is doing regarding the global vaccination gap, including some observations about the very important cooperation with our Malaysian partners.
Fact: the EU is a world-leading exporter of Covid-19 vaccines. It exports to more than 130 countries, including to Malaysia. The EU is now probably the leading exporter of Covid-19 vaccines to Malaysia and our exports continue, with more than 6 million authorised already (by 22 June).
Malaysia, as an upper middle-income country has negotiated and contracted its own supplies, including via the COVAX facility.
All EU exports authorisations of vaccines to Malaysia are swiftly processed and dispatched, confirming the EU as a reliable trade partner.
Fact: the EU is the only OECD producer that exports substantial amounts of vaccines.
Fact: about half of the EU's total production is being exported. Over 400 million doses have been exported to more than 130 countries since the beginning of this year, in parallel with the ongoing rollout of vaccinations in the EU's 27 Member States with our 430 million inhabitants. The cumulative uptake of full vaccinations among adults in the EU stands at 34.9 per cent.
Fact: the EU strategy reflects the global solidarity effort and ensures equitable access to an affordable vaccine as early as possible.
Fact: the EU invested more than 2.7 billion Euro (more than 13 billion ringgit) upfront in development of vaccines resulting in several safe and effective vaccines being distributed by the end of 2020.
This achievement required running clinical trials in parallel with investments in production capacity to be able to produce millions of doses of a successful vaccine while respecting strict and robust authorisation processes.
Overall, the EU vaccine strategy allowed for better hedging of bets, sharing of risks and pooling investments to achieve economies of scale, scope and most importantly, speed.
Fact: the EU with its Member States are together also a leading donor to COVAX with €3 billion (15 billion ringgit).
Fact: in cooperation with vaccine manufacturers, the EU is working to increase our vaccine production capacities to more than 3 billion doses a year by the end of 2021.
Our European industrial partners have committed to deliver 1.3 billion doses of vaccines before the end of 2021 to low-income countries at no-profit and to middle-income countries at lower prices. Furthermore, they have committed to deliver over 1.3 billion doses in 2022 – many of which will be exported through COVAX.
Fact: there is no hoarding or stockpiling of vaccines in the EU. With the evolving backdrop of the Covid-19 numerous variants and vaccines efficacy against them, and production capacities, the EU, like many nations, including Malaysia, has placed orders superior to its population.
Nevertheless, zero doses will be wasted. Any surplus will be, either donated to the least developed or low-income countries, or could be resold to partners who will request for it.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, – wrote on May 27 this year:
"We must resist the threats posed by "vaccine diplomacy", linking the provision of vaccines to political goals, and "vaccine nationalism", reserving vaccines for oneself. In contrast to others, the EU has rejected both since the beginning of the pandemic.
Until now, we have been the only global actor that is vaccinating its own population; exporting large volumes of vaccines; and contributing substantially to the vaccines rollout in low-income countries. Europeans can be proud of this record."
We are indeed proud. The EU is a peace project built on solidarity and based on the understanding that we are all interdependent in this world. The pandemic has demonstrated that we are all in this together and we must fight and get through it together. Health is a global public good and a human right.
In the midst of the awful pandemic, Malaysians can be certain of one thing: we very much value our cooperation with Malaysia as a trusted partner to overcome its dire effects.
The EU-financed cooperation project with Malaysia's Ministry of Health and the WHO, on pandemic preparedness and response, announced just last week with a budget of nearly RM9 million, is one example of the EU's solidarity.
The mobilisation of over €800 million to support Asean and its Member States' response to Covid-19 is another.
You can count on the EU's firm and continuing solidarity, support and respect.
On behalf of 15 Ambassadors of the EU and its Member States in Malaysia:
Austria: MICHAEL POSTL
Belgium: PASCAL GREGOIRE
Croatia: IVAN VELIMIR STARCEVIC
Czech Republic: MILAN HUPCEJ
Finland: SAMI LEINO
France: ROLAND GALHARAGUE
Germany: PETER-CHRISTOF BLOMEYER
Ireland: HILARY REILLY
Italy: CRISTIANO MAGGIPINTO
Netherlands: AART JACOBI
Poland: KRZYSZTOF DEBNICKI
Romania: NINETA BARBULESCU (Ambassador Designate)
Spain: JOSE MIGUEL CORVINOS
Sweden: DAG JUHLIN-DANNFELT
EU: MICHALIS ROKAS
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times