EU nations threaten to block more vaccine shipments to Australia

Two European nations have vowed to block more Australia-bound vaccine shipments if AstraZeneca refuses to follow a new export control system. The European Commission blocked 250,000 jabs from leaving Italy after the drug manufacturer failed to meet its EU contract commitments. Italy insists the decision "was not a hostile act" towards Australia" but rather a move to put their country first. France says it would have undertaken similar action in the same circumstances. Meanwhile in Australia the federal government has not met its initial COVID-19 vaccination targets. Prime Minister Scott Morrison hoped to inoculate 80,000 Australians every week but just 71,000 have received the jab in the first fortnight.