The EU are on a collision course with the UK over vaccines.

Katie59
What was it that Macron said we lacked the ambition - and the madness
Wrong!! He lacked the balls. Yes, we took a chance but it paid off mainly because Boris said ‘cut the red tape, just bloody do it’ and our wonderful brilliant scientists did.???? ???

Ellianne

I hardly think the UK was sloppy or careless in comparison.

I agree Ellianne. The UK was not sloppy and took no risks with the safety of the vaccine. This emphasised at the time.

Yes Urmstongran I'm so pleased the UK is proving to be a good bet for future businesses. Not gloating at all, just happy for my granchdchildren's prospects after fearing the worst with Brexit.

Not sure any Biotechnology companies want to do business inside the EU anymore.

The rule of law and IP protection are important to international companies.

Great that Brexit means the UK , is open for business.

I have to say it. Our Government is playing an absolute blinder at the moment.

I hardly think the UK was sloppy or careless in comparison.

MerylStreep

I’ve been wondering what went wrong in Germany. Angela has explained that it’s because of their tendency for perfection
That’s ok then.

The UK jumped the gun on the safety checks - we took a risk, balancing the risk of side effects against more deaths from virus. Obviously I’ve decision was right because now the serious Covid rate has come right down, whereas in Europe the Covid rate has gone up, still vaccine distribution in the EU is being delayed by red tape, also suspending vaccination in many countries made the population cautious

It is good news Urmstongran just a shame that the threat of a vaccine war was ever made.

BREAKING NEWS:

British pharmaceuticals giant to 'fill and finish' Novavax Covid vaccines amid threat of jabs trade war

Sixty million doses will be finished at GlaxoSmithKline's Barnard Castle factory in the North East to avoid transportation to Europe.

I’ve been wondering what went wrong in Germany. Angela has explained that it’s because of their tendency for perfection
That’s ok then.

Sounds lovely Ellianne
The ☀️ has come out here now (Berkshire)
We are seeing our daughter and family over Easter, the first time for months as she is a one and a half hours drive away.

I'm looking forward to as many people in the whole world being vaccinated

Yes we are behind the UK, but you know what? We will catch up.
Yes, Mamie, it could well be a case of la tortue et le lièvre!

What I actually try to do is counter some of the things that are said on here, based on facts and first-hand experience. I watch the politicians speak live and I see how their words get distorted, I read the French press as well as the UK press and I see the difference in reporting of the facts. I teach U3A classes and I hear what French people of our generation have to say.
France like many European countries has got things wrong during the pandemic. What I can say is that I have felt safe, protected and clear about what I can and cannot do throughout. The length of time for my group to get to vaccination has been frustrating, but I have always known exactly where I stand.

maddyone The answer to that is shortage of vaccines. Too slow on the procurement process, too trusting that everyone else would try to do the right thing, exporting 44% of vaccines made in EU countries and Astra Zeneca delivering only 25% of vaccines that it had promised, are a few. It has been too slow, but it has speeded up now. France, last week, was doing a million every 72 hours.
Yes we are behind the UK, but you know what? We will catch up.
To be honest some of this reminds me of the competitive parenting in the school playground. It really isn't all about first past the post.
Where are your friends GrannyGravy? If they are in France they need to look at DoctoLib or Santé.fr The roll-out is very clear. DH had his with the over 70s with long-term conditions, a few weeks ago. My group of 70-75 without health conditions has just started.

I agree JenniferEccles, there is such emotive language and hostility on GN today when there should be a sense of relief and positivity in the UK at least. We want that feeling for everyone in Europe and beyond.
It's au soleil pour moi and a meet up in DD's garden.

I was interested in what the virus rates were in Europe and came across this site.

I'm thinking this is a non-biased site

I was very surprised to see how many active infections France appears to have. That could mean that they are testing many more than anywhere else, but even so , massive difference from most EU countries

www.statista.com/page/covid-19-coronavirus

the longer the abysmal situation continues in our neighbouring countries, the more it could impact on us.

Just as the Kent variant is now tearing its way through Europe. Locking down earlier in the U.K. may have prevented this mutation.

None of the politicians come out of this smelling of roses.

I have not seen any evidence whatsoever of posters gloating.
We are all aware that the dreadful situation in Europe could well impact on us.
We have been repeatedly told that the longer the virus is able to circulate in high numbers (which of course is happening in Europe) the higher the potential for mutations to develop, some of which could make our vaccines less effective.

Like everyone I am hugely relieved that we made the right decision in going it alone with our vaccine procurement, but at the same time I am well aware that the longer the abysmal situation continues in our neighbouring countries, the more it could impact on us.

Alegrias1

Just popping up here to lend some support for Mamie and remind some others that gloating isn't a good look.

Alegrias I wasn’t gloating, simply stating a fact. Mamie has put up a passionate defence of France and I see no reason at all why simple facts should not be mentioned. If it’s okay for a poster to passionately defend the place where they are living, then it’s okay for other posters to at the very least mention a fact about where they live.
As I have said before, we’re not all safe, until we’re all safe. Let’s hope France and other European countries make good progress with their vaccination programmes, and let’s accept and understand how lucky those of us living in the UK are to have been offered vaccination so quickly. But let’s also not defend the tawdry performance of some countries, including unfortunately, France.

GrannyGravy13

There is no triumphalism or gloating from me, I have family and close friends in EU and beyond who have absolutely no idea when they will get their vaccine, which is causing great concern for us all.

Pleased to hear it.

There is no triumphalism or gloating from me, I have family and close friends in EU and beyond who have absolutely no idea when they will get their vaccine, which is causing great concern for us all.

No one is denying, least of all the EU that wrong decisions were made on the procurement of vaccine. One of the issues I think was that they had no understanding of how quickly the scientists would move and so thought that they had plenty of time in which to get their act together.

Well, they were wrong in that assumption, perhaps resulting in many unnecessary deaths.

That is a given.

We made wrong assumptions at the beginning of the pandemic , and made wrong decisions over lockdown, preparedness etc. Perhaps resulting in unnecessary deaths.

That is a given.

No one has got it completely right.

Triumphalism has no place in this. It is in such poor taste.

I feel sorry for my French goddaughter whose own children may soon be stopped from attending school. I know how detrimental that is for children from the experiences if my own DGC.
I feel sorry my French friend of 40+ years who had cancer yet still hasn't had her vaccine.
No superiority, no triumphalism, just worried for those I care about in France.
You only have to dip into ex pats' forums on Facebook to read how concerned many people are about the lack of vaccinations.

Just popping up here to lend some support for Mamie and remind some others that gloating isn't a good look.

Basically the EU and it’s member states have c***ed up the vaccine procurement and roll out.
The UK thought on its feet, ordered multiple vaccines by the millions and so far are doing a splendid job!