Australia calls for release of 3.1 mn vaccine doses, if EU not blocking exports

Boxes of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Australia said on Wednesday it will ask the European Union to release more than 3 million doses of AstraZeneca PLC's Covid-19 vaccine, testing Brussels claim it is not blocking shipments, as the country struggles to vaccinate its population. The European Union (EU) on Tuesday denied blocking vaccine shipments to Australia, which has fallen dramatically behind in its scheduled vaccination programme. The EU said it was not responsible for AstraZeneca's failure to uphold commitments to other countries. AstraZeneca did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Wednesday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was asked by the EU to withdraw export permit applications and letters requesting supplies have gone unanswered.