Pfizer Says New EU Rules Are Slowing Movement of its Vaccine Across Borders

New EU restrictions are slowing Pfizer’s ability to transport its COVID-19 vaccine across borders, a company executive said.

Danny Hendrikse, Pfizer’s vice president for global supply, told reporters last week that new rules introduced by the EU require the company to inform the Belgian government every time it intends to export any vaccines, which in turn must get the approval of the European Commission. Pfizer’s Belgian plant supplies doses for 70 countries.

The new requirement “has caused a significant administrative burden and some uncertainty,” Hendrikse said.