EU leaders push back against bloc’s plans to halt Covid vaccine exports

EU leaders push back against bloc’s plans to halt Covid vaccine exports

More sceptical member states hope ‘stick will never be used’ amid concerns over supply chain

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EU leaders are likely to shy away from supporting the use of new powers to block Covid vaccine shipments to countries with better jab coverage such as the UK, according to a draft statement before a meeting of EU leaders.

The European commission has increased its scope for blocking vaccine exports but disquiet among member states is set to be reflected in a muted statement at the end of the virtual summit on Thursday evening.

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