EU calls for global alliance to buy Covid-19 vaccines up front

Scientists are seen working at Cobra Biologics, they are working on a potential vaccine for COVID-19, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Keele, Britain, April 30, 2020.[Photo: Reuters]

The European Commission called on Wednesday for global leaders to cooperate to buy bulk quantities of potential Covid-19 vaccines, to avoid “harmful competition” in the race for a shot and ensure any future vaccine is available for poor countries.

With around a dozen potential vaccines now in human trials, rich countries have been rushing to buy up doses in advance from pharmaceutical companies, to make sure they will have enough supply should any prove successful.