Eu Covid Vaccine Agreement

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world, governments worldwide have been racing to secure doses of COVID-19 vaccines for their citizens. In this context, the European Union announced on November 11, 2020, that it had signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech for the supply of up to 300 million doses of their vaccine candidate. Here are the key details of the EU COVID vaccine agreement.

The EU Commission negotiated the agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech on behalf of the EU member states, following a competitive tender. The vaccine, named BNT162b2, uses mRNA technology and has shown promising results in clinical trials. The EU`s order includes an option to purchase an additional 100 million doses, subject to regulatory approval.

The agreement sets out the terms and conditions of the supply of the vaccine, including the delivery schedule, pricing, and liability issues. The EU has said that the vaccine will be distributed on a pro-rata population basis among the member states, taking into account their population size, the severity of the pandemic, and their capacity to administer the vaccine.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is among the first COVID-19 vaccine candidates to show positive results in clinical trials, with an efficacy rate of over 90% reported in late-stage trials. The vaccine also has the advantage of being able to be stored at -70°C, which presents logistical challenges but makes it easier to transport and distribute.

The EU has been aggressively pursuing vaccine supply deals, with the Pfizer/BioNTech agreement being one of several it has signed. The EU has also signed agreements with AstraZeneca, Sanofi and GSK, Johnson & Johnson, CureVac, and Moderna, among others. These agreements reflect the EU`s commitment to ensuring that its citizens have timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

The EU COVID vaccine agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech is a significant step in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. With millions of doses of this promising vaccine on order, the EU is well-positioned to provide its citizens with protection against the virus. However, there are still many challenges ahead, including the logistical issues of distributing the vaccine and ensuring that it is administered effectively. The EU and its member states must work together to overcome these challenges and ensure that the vaccine is delivered to those who need it most.