Covid: EU publishes disputed AstraZeneca vaccine contract

The European Commission has published its contract with drug-maker AstraZeneca to buy the company's Covid vaccine, amid a row over supplies.

The move came hours after Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen increased pressure on the company over its decision to reduce supplies to the EU.

The contract signed in August contained "binding orders", she told German radio, and called for an explanation.

The vaccine is expected to be approved by the EU medicines regulator later.

The EU decided to publish the contract to try to back its argument that the company is reneging on its commitments.

Large sections of the contract, published with the agreement of AstraZeneca, have been blanked out - redacted - to protect sensitive information.

These include some paragraphs dealing with costs, guaranteed delivery dates and intellectual property.

Following publication, there has been debate over the phrase in the contract which says "best reasonable effort".