The bloc is cautioned over the fallout after the European Commission president insists it has the power to “forbid” shipments.
Boris Johnson is expected to urge EU leaders this week to dismiss any proposals to block coronavirus vaccine exports to the UK.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted over the weekend that the EU has the power to “forbid” exports of coronavirus doses, adding: “That is the message to AstraZeneca.”
And EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness refused to rule out a ban, saying that “everything is on the table”.
The warnings reflect growing frustration on the continent that the EU is not getting the supplies it expected of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the British-Swedish manufacturer.
Many European countries are experiencing a surge in infections amid the slow vaccine rollout, with France and Italy among those forced into new restrictions.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, only 10% of adults in EU member states have had a first dose of a vaccine with a total of 54 million jabs having been given.
By comparison, in the UK, more than 52% of adults have had a jab with almost 30 million doses administered in total.
EU leaders will hold a video conference on Thursday to discuss the bloc’s vaccine rollout and the fresh spike in cases in many member states.
Mr Johnson is expected to contact the bloc’s national leaders prior to their virtual summit, The Financial Times reported.
Government sources said the prime minister spoke to Ms von der Leyen, along with Dutch and Belgian prime ministers Mark Rutte and Alexander De Croo last week.
He may speak to other EU leaders over the coming days, the government source added.
-Skynewws
