The EU commissioner is one of the architects of the vaccination passport: “These decisions are up to the states”
FROM THE ENCOUNTER IN BRUSSELS. The decision to introduce further travel restrictions “rests with the Member States” and the request for a swab from vaccinated people “does not jeopardize the functioning of the internal market”. But to safeguard the European Green Pass, one must be ready to “adapt it according to the evolution of the pandemic”. Thierry Breton, the commissioner of French nationality (“but I also have Senegalese citizenship”), who is one of the architects of the European Covid Certificate, is convinced of this.
Does Omicron’s advance risk bringing the EU to its knees?
«We are ready, we are prepared. We have all the necessary tools. We have to face two pandemics that travel in parallel: one is that of the Delta variant and the other will be that of Omicron. For Omicron we will have more information within a week to clarify its diffusion and its danger. Epidemiologists tell us that the best way to deal with the situation is to speed up the booster doses. The EMA has made it known that it can be administered as early as three months after the second and I think it is a good idea “.
In the meantime, some countries, including Italy, have decided to introduce the request for a negative swab also for vaccinated travelers: doesn’t this go against the philosophy of the EU Covid Certificate?
“The provision adopted by the Italian government establishes that travelers must be in possession of a negative swab, but also of the EU Covid Certificate. However, it will remain the main tool. In any case, it is a matter for the Member States to decide. ‘
There is no fear that restrictions could jeopardize the functioning of the internal market
“The answer is no because there will continue to be the movement of citizens and tourists between EU countries. We will publish a new recommendation and carefully monitor its application, but in the end the decision rests with the states ».
Will the EU Covid Certificate have to change to survive the Omicron variant?
«The Certificate is working well, it has proved to be an extremely important tool. Think that it has been adopted by 81 countries around the world. We will adapt it according to the evolution of the situation as soon as possible: my general management Connect is able to make technical changes within 3-4 weeks in case of adaptation to new rules. For example, we will now set a maximum validity of nine months and introduce the necessary changes to recognize the booster dose, which will last a further nine months until we have more clarity on the situation. If in the meantime a state wants to take measures, it can do so. Even if it is clear that the more coordinated we are, the better ».
Germany has sounded an alarm, denouncing the risk of a shortage of vaccines for the first quarter of next year: is there a supply problem?
«I have also heard these questions and I was surprised because I believe that we will be able to deliver enough doses for everyone. We are also accelerating on deliveries over the next few months. We have talked with Pfizer and now with Moderna to bring forward the deliveries expected in the second and third to the first quarter of 2022, so I don’t think there will be any problems. We are the first continent in terms of the number of citizens vaccinated, but there are still countries with too low vaccination rates. I’m talking about Bulgaria, where I was a couple of weeks ago. But also from Romania, from Slovakia: I have been very busy with the respective authorities, now we have a new government in Bulgaria and we hope that things improve ».
Does the trend of infections in the United Kingdom represent an alarm for the EU?
“We are doing everything possible to support the British, as they are in a very difficult situation. They are heavily dependent on Europe for vaccines – 70% of those used by them are made here – and we are organizing ourselves to ensure that there is no interruption in deliveries ».
In a pandemic, however, it is not enough to protect a continent …
«We are by far the first exporters in the world ahead of China, the United States and India, with 1.4 billion doses of exports and donations. We are looking to increase production in Africa. I was in Senegal in July where the first production line was started, I will be back next week to see how it is progressing. There are other plants in South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda. On Sunday, I will meet Macky Sall, the next president of the African Union. We also need to increase donations and I assure you that we are working to increase the availability of vaccines in low-income countries. It will be an extremely important issue in 2022 ».
Unlimited access to all site content
€ 1 / month for 3 months, then € 3.99 / month for 3 months
Unlock unlimited access to all content on the site
#Thierry #Breton #Italy #measures #Green #Pass #remains #essential