Chinese or Russian vaccine – which one is allowed in Hungary?

Vaccine will be the solution for the coronavirus pandemic. But which vaccine does the EU allow for Hungary; Chinese or Russian? Based on the directive of the European Parliament and Council, member states can temporarily authorise the distribution of unauthorised medicinal products in response to suspected or confirmed spread of pathogenic agents.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously mentioned, Hungary has high hopes, we already see the light at the end of the tunnel – atv reports.

The Hungarian Prime Minister previously said he expects the first vaccine supplies to arrive in Hungary between the end of December and the beginning of January. The EU has contracts with seven factories, and if all of them can develop their own vaccines, we will have 700 million vaccines in the next half of the year. Consequently, the chronically ill, and the most vulnerable elderly people could be vaccinated at the end of January, to ease the current pressure. Large quantities of vaccines are expected to come in April.

The most vulnerable ones, as well as doctors, have to hold on until January, the rest have to hold on until April, said Orbán. The Hungarian government negotiates with Russia, China and also Israel on purchasing vaccines.

Péter Szijjártó on the Russian vaccine

Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Foreign Minister, claimed that the authorisation of the Russian vaccine will arrive at a considerable milestone next week, which could allow for Hungary to purchase a small amount of the vaccine in December, and a great amount in January. They are already negotiating license purchases, so that the vaccine could be produced in Hungary, too.

Hungary also registered its purchase intentions at a Chinese public vaccine developing factory and is also in contact with two private companies; hence Hungary can be one of the firsts in Europe to receive the vaccine, added Szijjártó.

Eu spokesman says no to the eastern vaccine

Erik Mamer, spokesman for the European Commission, on the other hand, declared last week that all vaccine that is or will be available within the EU has to comply with the EU’s relevant quality and authorisation requirements. EU member states cannot use the eastern vaccine. If they fail to comply with the necessary and sufficient EU procedures, vaccines coming from outside of the EU cannot be purchased and used.

Gergely Gulyás responded

Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, has said, Hungary is also part of the EU’s purchase attempts. Hungary will get 6.5 million vaccines from AstraZeneca from Oxford, if their testing, which is now in its third phase, will be successful. Moreover, the government – as it should – also tracks vaccine developments that are currently under testing all over the world, to be able to start vaccinating as soon as possible. Besides Oxford, the USA, Russia, and China are in such stages. Gulyás highlighted, if Hungary purchases vaccines, “no one wants to place them on the market” – they will be free and obligatory.

Gulyás quoted the 2001/83/EC Directive: “member States may temporarily authorise the distribution of an unauthorised medicinal product in response to the suspected or confirmed spread of pathogenic agents, toxins, chemical agents or nuclear radiation any of which could cause harm” – suggesting if the spokesman was familiar with EU law, he would not have made an unfounded statement.

Tamás Menczer State Secretary at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade claimed, neither business nor political lobbying should stop Hungary from receiving effective vaccines when they are available – as far as possible among the first ones.

Source: atv