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BRUSSELS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca is trying
to deliver 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to the EU by
the end of March, less than half the amount it promised in its
contract for the quarter, CEO Pascal Soriot told European
lawmakers on Thursday.
The pledge was in line with previous statements from the
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker, which has long said it will not be able
to fulfil the target of 90 million doses in the first quarter.
The EU, which has fallen far behind the United States and
former member Britain in vaccinating its public, has repeatedly
urged the firm to deliver more.
"I am disappointed that lower-than-expected output in our
dedicated European supply chain has affected our ability to
deliver," Soriot said. "We are doing everything that we can to
deliver 40 mln doses in the first quarter of 2021."
In his initial statement to the EU Parliament he made no
reference to deliveries in the second quarter of the year, which
should amount to 180 million doses under the contract.
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio
Editing by Peter Graff)
