French vaccine maker says UK government threw it 'under the bus' over terminated contract

The UK acted because the company wouldn’t be able to meet 2021 supply targets - in part because of Brexit-related difficulties, according to Mr Lingelbach

UK health secretary Sajid Javid receiving a Covid vaccination jab. French vaccine maker Valneva says Britain is accountable for terminating a $1.6bn contract.

The UK government threw Valneva “under the bus” when it terminated a $1.6bn (€1.4bn) Covid-19 vaccine agreement after championing the French drugmaker’s shot, according to its chief executive.

The UK’s decision to cancel its order over an alleged breach of contract blindsided the company in September and came after Valneva had spent months renegotiating its agreement with Britain’s Vaccines Taskforce, Thomas Lingelbach said.