NEW DELHI: Pfizer and BioNTech on Wednesday, February 17, said that they have finalized an agreement to supply the European Union (EU) with another 200 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine. The American and German companies said in a statement that the doses come on top of the 300 million vaccine doses initially ordered. The EU’s Executive Commission has an option to request an additional 100 million doses. The statement did not include any financial details of the deal.
They said that the 200 million doses are expected to be delivered this year in 2021, with an approximated 75 million of the doses being delivered in the second quarter. Albert Bourla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pfizer, said that they are working relentlessly to support successive roll-out of vaccination campaigns in Europe and other parts of the world by augmenting their production capability.
Ugur Sahin, CEO, BioNTech, stated that his company will initiate manufacturing at its new plant in Marburg, Germany, in February and has strengthened its production network with further partners. He added that they are continuing to evaluate, with government, authorities and partners at all levels, how they might address even higher future supply requirements of their vaccines.