Pfizer and BioNTech to Supply EU with Up to 1.8 Billion Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

Pfizer and BioNTech announced on May 20, 2021 that have entered into a new agreement with the European Commission (EC) to supply 900 million doses of Comirnaty, the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine, to the European Union (EU), with an option for the EC to request up to 900 million additional doses.

The added doses are expected to be delivered on a monthly basis starting in December 2021 and continuing into 2023, a Pfizer company press release said. This agreement is in addition to the 600 million doses that are currently committed to the EU through 2021. If the EC exercises their option for additional doses, the number of potential doses being delivered to the EU will climb up to 2.4 billion.

“Ongoing vaccination beyond 2021 is critical as COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout Europe and the globe,” said Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO, Pfizer, in the press release. “More than a year later, we continue to learn about COVID-19 and are working to determine if, similar to seasonal influenza, annual vaccination may provide the most enduring protection. We are proud to be in a position to be a long-term partner in the EU’s fight against this devastating pandemic and remain steadfast in our commitment to potentially produce and deliver billions more doses of our vaccine each year.”

“There is growing evidence that COVID-19 will continue to pose a public health challenge for years. This contract with the European Commission will ensure sufficient doses of [Comirnaty] are available for all EU citizens in 2022 and 2023,” added Ugur Sahin, MD, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, in the press release. “With these additional doses and our continued investments in research and development aimed at adapting our vaccine to address new and emerging variants, we will continue to make a significant impact in the EU’s efforts to protect public health.”

Source: Pfizer