The originally contracted inventory can be converted into optional orders for a fee. The agreement also extends to four years from now the period during which countries can receive vaccines, including vaccines adapted to the new variants
The European Union and BioNTech-Pfizer have entered into an agreement to reduce supplies of the Covid vaccines, as agreed in the third purchase agreement between the two parties in 2021, during the pandemic. The originally contracted doses can be converted to optional orders for a fee. The amount is deductible if countries decide to purchase additional doses in the future. The agreement also extends to 4 years from now the period during which countries can receive vaccines, including vaccines adapted to the new variants.
The third contract signed in 2021
On May 20, 2021, the European Commission, in cooperation and on behalf of the Member States, had signed a third contract with BioNTech-Pfizer for the purchase of 900 million doses of the vaccine, with the option to purchase an additional 900 million doses. Half of the deliveries were agreed for 2021 and 2022, the other half for 2023. The improvement in the epidemiological situation has led to a surplus of vaccines. At the end of 2022, EU health ministers therefore asked to reduce the number of doses and extend the delivery period. Purchase agreements with vaccine developers “are legally binding and cannot be unilaterally changed,” Brussels explained in a statement.
Doses converted to optional orders
Thus, after negotiations with the pharmaceutical company, today’s agreement provides for the conversion of the originally contracted doses into optional orders. A step for which a deductible compensation is paid from the price Member States would have to pay for the additional optional doses if they decide to activate them in the future. In fact, the agreement stipulates that countries can continue to have access to additional doses up to the originally contracted volume until the end of the contract, in case they face a new epidemic wave.
Source: TG 24 Sky
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