EU: COVID-19 tests and vaccines

The Council of the European Union has allowed EU member states to exempt coronavirus vaccines and COVID-19 tests from value-added tax (VAT). This measure will remain in effect until December 31, 2022.

"I welcome that we have agreed to our proposal to exempt hospitals, doctors and people from VAT when purchasing coronavirus vaccine and testing kits", EC President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter.

EU member states plan to receive the first coronavirus vaccines by the end of the year. The EC said that all countries will receive the vaccine at the same time. In total, the European Union has already agreed to supply 2 billion doses of the vaccine. Contracts for the vaccines purchase were signed with several companies at once.

Earlier it was reported that EU countries can also produce Russian vaccines - only for the Russian Federation and third countries
 
Production of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 at the enterprises of the EU countries, if it is not intended for the EU market, is entirely a matter of national competence of a state, it was highlighted in media reports distributed last Thursday.

European source involved in process of vaccines certification for the EU market told reporters in Brussels that the EU is not considering the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus Sputnik V for issuing a market permit, because to date it has not received a formal request and necessary documents from its developers.

"We have been contacted by developers of this vaccine, we are still in contact with them and discussing what further steps can be taken", he said. "But we have not received a request for scientific advice or request for registration", the source noted.