UK To Offer COVID-19 Vaccines To Ireland, Mulls Helping Other EU Nations - Reports
Muhammad Irfan Published March 28, 2021 | 01:40 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th March, 2021) The United Kingdom is going to offer 3.7 million COVID-19 vaccines to neighboring Ireland, in a move that can further strain relations with the European Union, The Sunday Times reported, citing UK cabinet sources.
According to the newspaper, it would be the first time the UK has exported vaccines to the EU amid tensions over delayed deliveries of AstraZeneca shots to the bloc.
A cabinet minister described the plan as a "poke in the eye for Brussels," which has coordinated vaccine procurement and deliveries on behalf of member states.
The UK is said to be seeking to help Ireland to avoid getting a coronavirus hotspot at its borders and more safely lift the lockdown in Northern Ireland.
"Everyone can see the logic of it. It's good politics while at the same time solving a genuine public health concern in Northern Ireland," a cabinet source said.
The source added that "Easter will be when we might be able to start offering vaccines to Ireland."
The government, however, is also mulling plans to share surplus vaccines with other EU nations over fears that "the poor vaccine programme in France and Germany" could bolster extremist parties.
"The fear is that [French President Emmanuel] Macron has made such a mess of things that it might mean we end up with [leader of the right-wing National Rally party] Marine Le Pen getting elected. No one wants that," another Whitehall source said.
Nearly 30 million Britons have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Of them, 3.2 million have been fully vaccinated. The immunization in the EU is progressing slower due to vaccine delivery delays.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Trump meets former Japanese prime minister in New York
6 minutes ago -
'Catch and Kill' architect details Trump-boosting scheme
6 minutes ago -
Wolves overpower Suns to lead series 2-0, Pacers down Bucks
6 minutes ago -
Top price predicted for long-lost Klimt portrait at Vienna auction
6 minutes ago -
Maduro announces return of UN rights office to Venezuela
26 minutes ago -
Large crowds march against Argentina public university cuts
36 minutes ago
-
Football: Italian Cup result
1 hour ago -
Football: English Premier League result
1 hour ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
1 hour ago -
US markets rise for second straight day as sentiment improves
1 hour ago -
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
1 hour ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 21 dead
7 hours ago