After Outcry, EU Reverses Plan to Restrict Vaccine Exports Through Irish Border

A vial of the CCP virus vaccine developed by Oxford University and UK-based drugmaker AstraZeneca is checked as they arrive at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, England, onJan. 2, 2021. Gareth Fuller/Pool via AP

LONDON/BRUSSELS—The European Union on Friday reversed a plan to use emergency Brexit measures to restrict exports of COVID-19 vaccines from crossing the Irish border into the United Kingdom after it sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland, London, and Dublin.

In a steep escalation of the EU’s fight to secure vaccine supplies, Brussels had said it would trigger clauses in the Northern Irish Protocol to prevent the vaccines from moving across the open border between EU-member Ireland and the British-run province.