Great thread explaining the background re AZ vaccine supply - UK government didn't just buy some doses, it paid >90% of the cost of developing the vaccine, including a complex new manufacturing process developed by our group. 1/ https://twitter.com/adamjohnritchie/status/1355136430402580482

We & @AstraZeneca worked all year in anticipation of this scarcity & nationalism. We developed a strategy which gives as many countries / regions as possible control over their own supply AND aims to provide vaccine for export. 2/

That's why AZ's network is now making vaccine in at least 12 countries . The problems at EU contractors are extremely unfortunate but as Adam's explains, each site is getting to grips with a v complex process, having started at different times. That involves uncertainty. 3/

I'm v much pro-EU & passionate about developing country supply but I do think the UK has a reasonable claim to the UK-manufactured supply. Without the UK government there wouldn't be any of this vaccine for anyone. 4/

Discussing this in terms of queues at butchers' shops seems to be the metaphor of choice. The UK gov didn't get ahead in the queue for the Ox/AZ vaccine, let alone jump the queue. It *funded the 'shop'* - and helped us open a chain of them to help as many countries as possible.

For the record, the Jenner Institute has benefited substantially from EC funding over many years. But the really substantial investment in *this* vaccine came from the UK gov.

It’s also worth remembering that U.K. has been a leading & early funder of @CEPIvaccines, @Gavi and COVAX initiatives to provide vaccines around the world.

https://cepi.net/news_cepi/uk-boosts-support-for-cepi-to-spur-covid-19-vaccine-development/ https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/gavi-welcomes-uk-funding-pledge

Some more info on the U.K./EU situation here. ‘It’s complicated’ https://twitter.com/sandyddouglas/status/1355892619944079360