EU authorities are negotiating with Pfizer and BioNTech about a possible reduction in the order for a COVID-19 vaccine made by Brussels for the current year. Under the terms of the contract, Europe was to buy up to 500 million doses of the vaccine this year. However, the EU authorities would like to buy less and even declare their readiness to pay producers a higher price. The agency reports Archyde.com with reference to informed sources. According to these sources, the parties are also discussing a possible extension of the terms for the purchase of the vaccine – we are talking about the transfer of supplies to the second half of 2024.
The European Commission signed the initial contract for the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer and BioNTech in May 2021. Under the terms of the contract, manufacturers were to supply 900 million doses of the vaccine to the EU, with a possible increase in the order by another 900 million doses by the end of 2023. However, due to a sharp drop in vaccine demand last year, almost half of the doses from the original order have not been delivered to date, and the additional order has not been confirmed. At a cost of €19.5 per dose, according to the terms of the May 2021 contract, EU governments must pay manufacturers from €7.8 billion to €9.75 billion for them this year. And the governments are urging Brussels to reduce the volume of orders, given the shortages budgets and lack of desire to spend funds on unnecessary doses. What could be the new price, Archyde.com sources do not report.