EU, Italy Block AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment To Australia

AstraZeneca's efforts to supply Covid-19 vaccine doses from its Italian unit to Australia has been blocked by the European Union and the Italian Government, citing Australia being non-vulnerable region and delays in domestic supply, among others. Italy's proposal to deny AstraZeneca's request for authorization to export COVID-19 vaccines was subsequently approved by the European Commission.