DISINFO: The situation with Sputnik V vaccine testifies to internal problems in the EU
SUMMARY
The situation around the Russian Sputnik V vaccine testifies to internal problems in the European Union, which have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
There is an obvious inconsistency of two levels: supranational - the so-called European bureaucracy - and national. The same is true for the vaccine. We see that European bureaucrats are stalling for time and do not give any answers, while politicians in European countries are in a hurry to solve the pressing issue of vaccination.
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Western pharmaceutical giants are playing unclean games around the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. We are talking about the interests of huge pharmaceutical concerns - billions and more billions are at stake.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation about the EU, vaccination and Sputnik V. This is the part of a disinformation campaign aimed at promoting the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
No evidence is given that the EU is politicising the selection and purchase of vaccines. As stated by the EMA, under EU rules, any vaccine or medicinal product must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency before it can be marketed in any state of the 27-nation bloc.
Nonetheless, the temporary import and distribution of unauthorised vaccines are allowed for emergency use in the EU “in response to the suspected or confirmed spread of pathogenic agents, toxins, chemical agents or nuclear radiation, any of which could cause harm,” the relevant EU law reads.
The claim that European bureaucrats are stalling for time to approve the Sputnik V vaccine is unfounded. The reason the Russian Sputnik V vaccine has not been authorised yet is that it submitted its application for a rolling review only in March 2021. The evaluation can take up to 150 working days, and is work in progress.
See related disinformation messages alleging that the West aims to intensify its campaign against the Sputnik V vaccine; that the EMA will try to postpone the authorisation of Sputnik V; EMA's delay in approving Sputnik V is political; Russian vaccine opponents are trying to eradicate trust in Sputnik V; The West criticises the Russian vaccine because their companies will lose billions of dollars; EU in no hurry to admit Sputnik V because it is afraid of competition.