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Russian investment fund RDIF, which developed Sputnik V, has agreed with manufacturers in Italy, Spain, France and Germany to produce the vaccine. The agreements will facilitate deployment in those EU countries if the vaccine is approved by the Union’s pharmaceutical authority, EMA.
The message does not mean that the countries themselves bought the vaccine, emphasizes Sweden’s national vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström.
– Many people seem to think that it is about dose agreements. But it is a manufacturing contract between the vaccine developer and the private sector in these countries.
At the same time, he says that there are talks about the production of the Sputnik vaccine also in Sweden.
– There are serious talks between Sputnik and some manufacturers in Sweden. I can’t say more than that, says Richard Bergström.
Vaccine availability in Sweden, on the other hand, would not be affected if such an agreement is reached.
– That’s not how it works. You don’t get a vaccine because you build a factory. If you’re not the UK or the US, says Richard Bergström, referring to countries’ export barriers, which means the EU will get 75 million fewer doses during the second quarter.
– On the other hand, it may be good to have this type of vaccine infrastructure in the future.
So far, Sputnik V approval within the EU. Since March 4, the EMA has been reviewing the vaccine on an ongoing basis to make sure it is safe and effective. The union has also not signed an agreement with the promoter, although negotiations take some time.
Richard Bergström has previously said that an approval can be relevant in May or June at the earliest.
However, several countries will not wait for the agency’s approval. Hungary already gave the green light to Sputnik V in February and is using the vaccine today. Both the Czech Republic and Slovakia have ordered doses and will begin vaccinations when deliveries arrive.
Read more:
Three new vaccines on the way to Sweden: “We got a wider width”
The Sputnik vaccine can then be given to the Swedes, if approved.
