AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Export To Australia Not Stopped By Europe: Reuters - AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN)

The European Union has reportedly denied blocking shipments of 3.1 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc’s AZN COVID-19 vaccine to Australia.
According to Reuters, the Australian government says that the country has little hope of getting the remaining 400,000 doses it has been promised on time.
The dispute underscores the shortfalls of the AstraZeneca shot across the E.U. and complicates Australia’s inoculation campaign, which is more than 80% behind its original schedule.
“We cannot confirm any new decision to block vaccine exports to Australia or to any other country,” a European Commission spokesman told a news conference.
A Commission spokeswoman said the bloc had rejected only one of 491 COVID-19 vaccine export requests since it enhanced export transparency in late January.
She also added that seven requests were currently being reviewed. Hence shipments were on hold until a decision was made.
The E.U. has repeatedly said that AstraZeneca may not be allowed to export from the E.U. until it fulfills its contractual obligations towards the bloc.
While the government blamed the slow rollout for supply issues from Europe, Australian state governments have also complained about slower-than-expected distribution and a lack of certainty on supplies.
Price Action: AZN shares are up 0.03% at $49.55 in the market trading session on the last check Tuesday.