EU strikes AstraZeneca compensation deal over Covid vaccine side-effects      

Deal with AstraZeneca, which shifts risks involved in the roll-out of a vaccine to taxpayers, was struck in August 

AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical giant, has started a clinical trial of a new drug to help prevent and treat Covid-19, with the first volunteers already receiving doses.

European governments will pay claims above an agreed limit against AstraZeneca over side-effects from its potential Covid-19 vaccine, under different terms to a deal struck with Sanofi, an EU official said.

The deals reflect different strategies by two of the world’s top drugmakers for protecting themselves as a debate rages about liabilities for vaccines aimed at ending the pandemic.