Austria threatens EU to block 100 million doses of Pfizer vaccine

Austria threatens to block 100 million doses of Pfizer vaccines for EU countries for the fourth quarter, unless it receives more than 10 million doses to be predicted over the months of April and June, and which will partly have to go to the most in need, according to what emerged from the EU leaders' summit.

According to reports, to receive the advance of 10 million doses of Pfizer vaccine from the group of 100 million in the fourth quarter, the European Commission must now exercise its option.

But Vienna representatives hold the whole section hostage, arguing that the decision to redistribute the whole section should be unanimously taken and that they will not agree until they have a larger portion of the 10 million envisioned doses, the ATS reports.

On the other hand, EU partners argue that there is no specific decision to distribute 100 million doses, because the general pro-rata rule is implemented -- namely, based on each country's population -- a criterion always followed so far -- and that Austrians cannot exercise any veto for that.

An opinion by the EU Council's legal services, which is hoped for clarification, is expected in the afternoon.