Will Covid, Sputnik and Reithera vaccines go hand in hand?
The EU could start talks with Moscow for the purchase of the Russian Sputnik vaccine (produced in Italy by the Reithera participated by Invitalia-Mef?). Here are news and scenarios with Reuters indiscretions
It could be the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, previously so snubbed, the drug that saves Europe's vaccination campaign. According to rumors coming from European buildings, a group of officials is ready to enter into negotiations with Moscow. Just as Hungary and Slovakia have done in recent months.
But there is more. The plant of the Italian Reithera could be used for the production of the Russian drug. Let's go step by step.
EU IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR SPUTNIK
Let's start with the rumors. As revealed to Reuters by an EU official, who negotiates with manufacturers of vaccines on behalf of the bloc, the Commission may soon start talks with the developers of Sputnik V for a supply of the vaccine which should isollevare vaccination campaign Vecchio Continent.
REQUESTS FROM 4 MEMBER STATES NEEDED
For the negotiations to begin, however, Reuters writes, "requests from four EU states would be necessary".
THE ROLLING REVIEW FOR SPUTNIK
The rumors do not surprise that much. If it is true that the EU seems to have snubbed, at least initially, the vaccine and treated the drug as the result of a propaganda policy, it is also true that the EMA, the European Medicines Agency, has launched the rolling review, that is, the ongoing review of the vaccine. And it may soon be granting permission for use as well.
A VACCINE NEEDED?
The change of attitude of the Old Continent is justified by a vaccination campaign that proceeds with a limp . The EMA has authorized the use of four different vaccines, while the Commission has signed supply contracts with 6 companies (Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna, Astrazenca, Janssen – the four are also approved -, Sanofi-Gsk and Curevac), but problems in production slow down the inoculation of the various antidotes to the 450 million citizens.
THE MOVES OF SLOVAKIA AND HUNGARY
And it is precisely for these reasons that Hungary and Slovakia have already separated from the EU and bought the Russian vaccine. The Czech Republic is also interested in Sputnik.
WILL SPUTNIK BE PRODUCED IN THE REITHERA PLANT?
And Italy is also looking to Moscow. In fact, two different officials revealed to Reuters that Rome is considering the possibility of using the Reithera bioreactor ( 30% controlled by the state through Invitalia ) to produce Sputnik. According to one of the officials, Italy has made the Reithera plant available for the production of anti Covid-19 vaccines made by companies other than the Italian biotechnology company.
A GEOPOLITICAL VICTORY FOR RUSSIA
If Europe and Italy were to really resort to the Moscow vaccine to accelerate the vaccination campaign, Russia would bring home a huge diplomatic triumph, since trade with the country has been hampered over the years by the sanctions imposed for the annexation of Crimea and its intervention in eastern Ukraine.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/sanita/vaccini-anti-covid-sputnik-e-reithera-andranno-a-braccetto/ on Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:40:48 +0000.