Canadian vaccine imports may be threatened as Europe considers export controls

Canada's coronavirus vaccine distribution plan has faced many challenges since beginning in December as short supplies have made it difficult to distribute the vaccine across the country. The troubles were compounded after Pfizer announced that it was having production problems, causing further delays in vaccine shipments.

Now, it appears that vaccine distribution in Canada may face new challenges as European countries consider implementing export controls to ensure that they receive the vaccine first, CTV News reports.

The news is especially problematic given that both Pfizer and Moderna produce their vaccines in Europe. Much like Canada, Europe is facing a shortage of coronavirus vaccination doses. In all of Europe, only the United Kingdom outpaces the United States in vaccine distribution. Canada, however, is far behind.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet on Tuesday that the vaccine will require an "export transparency scheme" to protect European citizens.

The need for Europe to secure vaccine doses has been additionally complicated after AstraZeneca, another vaccine supplier, announced that they would be delaying the distribution of the vaccine in order to expand their production facilities, which are also in Europe.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canadians will have full access to the coronavirus vaccine by September despite the fact that Canada has no production capacity for it. With further potential complications in vaccine importation down the road, it raises questions as to how the government plans to secure the doses it wants.