BioNTech and Pfizer laboratories confirmed on Tuesday the delivery of 300 million doses of their vaccine against Covid-19 to the European Union, which exercised an option to purchase an additional 100 million for 2021.
Read also: Vaccine: a campaign that starts slowly
The EU signed a contract with the companies in November committing initially to 200 million doses, and reserving the right to order 100 million more thereafter.
"Our goal remains to make an effective vaccine available in sufficient quantity to as many people as possible in the world,"
BioNTech boss Ugur Sahin said in a statement.
Production in Belgium
The vaccination campaign started this weekend in the 27 countries of the EU, after the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Due to a lack of sufficient quantity of vaccines at this stage, the authorities have chosen to give priority to vaccinating people over the age of 80 and nursing staff.
Batches destined for the EU are produced in the Belgian factory in Puurs.
It could soon receive the reinforcement of another production unit in Marburg, Germany, acquired by BioNTech from the Swiss pharmacy giant Novartis.
“Our goal is to start production around February or March”
at this factory, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said recently.
“This would increase production enormously
,” he added.
