DUBLIN: The number of Pfizer jabs available to the European Union has doubled to 600 million doses. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that the EU has extended its contract with Pfizer and BioNTech. This means that the EU will purchase an additional 300 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and Ireland will receive 3.3 million additional doses.
“European Commission today proposed to the EU Member States to purchase an additional 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by BioNTech and Pfizer, with the option to acquire another 100 million doses. This would enable the EU to purchase up to 600 million doses of this vaccine, which is already being used across the EU,” European Commission said in a statement.
The President of the European Commission also stated that the additional doses will be delivered from the second quarter of 2021.
“In addition to the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, was authorised on January 6, 2021. Other vaccines are expected to be approved soon. This vaccine portfolio would enable the EU not only to cover the needs of its whole population, but also to supply vaccines to neighbouring countries,” Ms. von der Leyen added.