Biontech wants to deliver more corona vaccine for Europe

The corona vaccine is rare in Europe; now Biontech wants to deliver more doses of vaccine

Mainz manufacturer Biontech wants to deliver more corona vaccine to the European Union than previously planned. The company is “in advanced discussions about whether and how we can provide more doses of vaccines from Europe to Europe this year,” company chief Ugur Sahin told the German news agency on Friday. The background is complaints about vaccine shortages in Germany and other EU countries. Both the Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) and the EU Commission must listen to the criticism.

So far, only the Biontech vaccine has had European approval. The EU Commission had jointly concluded a framework agreement for up to 300 million doses of the manufacturer’s vaccines for the 27 states – a firm order for 200 million doses and an option for 100 million more, which was also drafted this week. Additional amounts are now being negotiated.

“Due to the current high number of infections, a rapid supply of vaccines is particularly important,” Sahin emphasized. “We are working with the EU to further expand our production capacities and to be able to provide additional doses of vaccines.”

When asked, a company spokeswoman would not say how quickly a contract for additional deliveries could be concluded and what quantities are involved. The EU Commission also only confirmed that there are “advanced talks” about new deliveries in 2021.

Sahin had told “Spiegel” that they were looking for cooperation partners. “But it is not like there are specialized unused factories around the world that can produce vaccines of the required quality overnight,” Sahin said. “At the end of January we will have clarity on whether we can produce more and how much.”

The EU Commission has asked not only Biontech, but also five other companies with promising vaccine candidates, a total of two billion doses for around 450 million EU citizens. But the other means are not approved yet.

Sahin said in “Spiegel”: “Many other companies were supposed to come with vaccines. Obviously the impression prevailed: we will have enough, it won’t be so bad and we have it under control. That surprised me. “He made it clear to the German news agency dpa:” The EU’s strategy to secure various vaccines is understandable and sensible. Our common interest is to provide vaccines to people who want them. “

According to the Robert Koch Institute, some 165,000 people across Germany had been vaccinated with the Biontech vaccine as of noon on Friday, including 71,590 residents of nursing homes. However, reports to the RKI sometimes lag behind the number of actual vaccines.

It is currently under discussion whether the second dose of vaccination needed should be given later to vaccinate as many people as possible first with the meager supplies. The European approval authority EMA has lowered expectations. The proof of effectiveness is based on a study in which the doses were given at intervals of 19 to 42 days, the EMA reported to the dpa. If it were six months, I would not agree with the regulations. (sda / dpa)