The World Health Organization (WHO) has criticized the European Union (EU) statement on monitoring the export of COVID-19 vaccines within the bloc, saying such measures could lead to the spread of the pandemic, BBC News reported.

The EU has taken this measure amid disputes with vaccine manufacturers over insufficient vaccine supplies.

The so-called transparency register allows EU countries to refuse to authorize the export of coronavirus vaccines if the latter’s manufacturers do not comply with existing contracts with the EU.

"It's a very worrying trend," said Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director for access to medicines and health products.