Europe to secure 160 million doses of Moderna vaccine as Irish schedule emerges

The European Commission will get a contract to buy 160 million doses of Moderna vaccine tomorrow.

The news was confirmed by President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement this afternoon.

Earlier this month it was announced that Moderna’s jab can prevent 94.5% of people from contracting Covid-19.

Interim data from the US firm suggests that its vaccine is very effective in preventing people from getting sick and also works in all age groups, including the elderly.

And speaking after announcing the huge new contract, Ms Von der Leyen said: “We are building one of the most comprehensive Covid-19 vaccine portfolios in the world.

“Safe and effective vaccines can help us end the pandemic.”

It comes after Taoiseach Micheal Martin gave a major positive update after he revealed plans for how a Covid vaccine will be delivered to the Irish public that will be featured in a report to the government in less than three weeks.

The Fianna Fail leader has explained how he is heading into early 2021 for vaccines here.

Mr. Martin said he spoke with Brian McCraith, the chair of the newly established state vaccine task force about the national launch of the jab here Monday morning.

The task force met for the first time Sunday to discuss the logistics of the plan.

Mr. Martin said: “They are working very energetically on this.

“The [McCraith] he hopes to have a strategy for the government by December 11, in terms of how we will distribute the vaccines. “

Meanwhile, Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, has admitted that vaccine news continues to offer “substantial hope.”

Speaking at a press conference this week, he said there was more “encouraging news” regarding the vaccines, but cautioned that relevant regulatory bodies have yet to investigate how safe and effective they are.

In more encouraging signs, however, the medical director spoke about the vaccine task force, saying that “there are a lot of good people trying to come up with a national plan” to implement the vaccine, raising further hope that the delivery will not be too difficult.