17/05/2022 06:59
The European Commission and vaccine developer BioNTech and Pfizer have agreed to adapt the delivery schedules of vaccines in order to better address the needs of member states, according to a Commission announcement.
Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides noted that these changes have been agreed in light of concerns put forward by the member states themselves.
“This amendment meets legitimate concerns on matching supply and demand, whilst ensuring security of vaccine supply if and when this is needed later in the year,” Kyriakides said.
The agreement reached will ensure that member states will have access to the vaccines when they need them - including future variant adapted vaccines if authorised - during the fall and the winter.
Doses scheduled for June and throughout the summer will now be delivered in September and during the autumn and winter period 2022, when Member States will more likely need additional stocks of vaccines for national campaigns and for meeting their international solidarity commitments.
Should an adapted vaccine be authorised by the autumn or winter period 2022, Member States will have access to the deliveries in the form of adapted vaccines.
“We continue to closely follow with BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, and stand ready to support Member States in ensuring the necessary flexibility,” Kyriakides added.