Additional reporting from Kevin Galvin
A Waterford MEP says pharmaceuticals must meet their promises
The recent case of AstraZeneca, where only half the amount ordered has been delivered to the EU has caused anger across the European Union.
The company has promised much higher numbers for the second and third quarters of 2021, but there’s frustration we don’t yet have all the vaccines we want.
It's as over 248,000 Covid vaccines have been administered up to Tuesday.
That consists of 158,904 first doses and 89,380 second doses.
Of the vaccines administered to date, just 476 are the Astra Zeneca vaccine, that's despite a delivery of more than 21,000 doses last weekend.
The company has seen its profits more than double over the last year to more than three-billion euro, but says it's been boosted by demand for cancer drugs.
AstraZeneca has revealed it won't be making any money from its Covid-19 jab, and say it is trying to speed up the production process.
Tramore native and Green Party MEP Grace O'Sullivan, says the pharmaceuticals have a public service obligation.
"What is critically important is (that), manufacturing companies, those pharma companies. I know there's contracts with them and they're being paid well for that, but they must deliver.
"This more than a business prospect, this is a public service they're providing."
