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OR Ministry of Health He said on Thursday the 10th that there is already an agreement for the acquisition of 70 million doses of the immunizer against COVID-19 developed by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The total, planned for 2021, is enough for 35 million Brazilians, since two doses are needed for each person.
According to the executive secretary of the Ministry of Health, Elcio Franco, “This Wednesday a memorandum of understanding was signed with Pfizer for the acquisition of 70 million doses by 2021. With the registration for emergency use and the conditions of use in advance, there will be the possibility of having access to the vaccine and start this year, ”he said.
He cited the minister’s statement Eduardo Pazuello, who on Wednesday declared that vaccination could begin in December. According to the ministry, the initial forecast of the MOU with Pfizer is 8.5 million doses in the first half of 2021 and 61.5 million doses in the second half. The values are confidential agreed with the company. Pfizer reported a product effectiveness of 95% in testing.
In addition to the agreement, the Ministry of Health reported that the US company has developed a thermal box that guarantees the preservation of doses for 30 days, in addition to offering support in distribution logistics.
This allows the vaccine to be kept at a temperature of -70º for 30 days, with the replacement of a dry ice filling periodically. The box has a capacity for 5,000 doses divided into 5 trays.
For the ministry, this is relevant, since the doses of the vaccine produced by the American company are divided into 21-day intervals, which means that no other storage place would be necessary for the immunization of an individual.
In a statement, Pfizer said it referred a proposal for a possible acquisition of the company’s vaccine to the Health Ministry, which formally expressed interest. The company says it is working on negotiating terms and conditions for the supply contract.
Regarding syringes, the intention was signed to register prices for 330 million units and also a purchase through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of another 40 million to “mitigate risks and diversify access.” There is still no definition of dates for the arrival of this material.
Asked about the vaccination in São Paulo that can begin before the National Immunization Program, Franco said that it would be an “undesirable situation” and that the biggest challenge in this case is the traceability of those vaccinated.
He completed by saying that “the Butantã Institute and Pfizer are in the same conditions.” “There are memorandums of understanding and if there is registration or authorization for emergency use, they can be inserted into the national immunization plan, unless it is for emergency use, which is for restricted audiences,” he said.
Despite the agreement, the ministry says it would be “frivolous” to transmit a correct date of when a vaccination will begin at this time, since none of the vaccines is already registered or available to the population. Only after authorization for emergency use or even with registration can the immunization of the Brazilian population begin.
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