WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand on Wednesday warned against “vaccine nationality” that could delay international shipments after their pharmaceutical regulator granted a temporary license to use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she still expected supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech product to reach the country by the end of March, but expressed concern about any attempt to restrict exports.
“The world cannot afford to make that happen. We will not be safe until we have spread across the globe,” she told a news conference.
“So it is in everyone’s interests to see vaccine programs run in other countries. “
Japan’s head of vaccine distribution on Tuesday said export invitations to COVID-19 vaccines by the European Union were affecting supplies to the country.
The World Health Organization has warned against “aggregation” as several countries increasingly agree to bilateral agreements to buy millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
With vaccination campaigns underway in dozens of countries, there is increasing pressure on Ardern to start inoculations for the country’s 5 million people, even though New Zealand has virtually eradicated the virus.
The provisional immunization agreement developed by U.S. drug dealer Pfizer Inc and BioNTech of Germany meant the country could begin preparing for the first phase of vaccine distribution, she said.
The people most at risk would be vaccinated first, before the wider community from the second half of the year.
“I have said that 2021 is the year of vaccination. It is a full-year program that we have only just begun. We are not in a race to be first, but to ensure that there is an opportunity safe and timely vaccinations for New Zealand, “she said.
Critics of Ardern have said New Zealand has fallen behind the rest of the world after promising in November that it would be first in the queue for COVID-19 vaccines.
New Zealand Head of Health Ashley Bloomfield said Medsafe has placed 58 positions on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine related to additional manufacturing data and ensuring that any safety concerns are informed.
Ardern urged New Zealand to enter as soon as vaccines became available.
“I get the vaccine completely, my family members get the vaccine. But right now I’m not a priority order,” she said.