Challenges in Pfizer Inc’s supply chain for the raw materials used in its COVID-19
The vaccine played a role in their decision to cut their 2020 production target, a Pfizer spokeswoman told Reuters.
Pfizer has said in recent weeks that it plans to produce 50 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year. That’s below a previous goal of 100 million doses. Pfizer’s vaccine is based on a two-dose regimen, which means that 50 million doses are enough to inoculate 25 million people.
A company spokeswoman said that “expanding the raw materials supply chain took longer than expected.” He also cited later-than-expected results from Pfizer’s clinical trial as a reason for the lower number of doses expected to be produced by the end of 2020.
The spokeswoman added that modifications to Pfizer’s production lines are now complete and the finished doses are being done at a rapid pace.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news. It reported that an anonymous person directly involved in the development of the Pfizer vaccine said that “some initial batches of raw materials did not meet standards”, causing production delays.
In November, Pfizer requested an emergency authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine from US regulators. US officials said they expect their vaccine to gain regulatory approval this month. The US government expects its first vaccine allocation to include 6.4 million doses, with more in the future.
Regulators in the UK have already licensed Pfizer’s vaccine for use in that country.
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