An initial deal has been signed between four European Union nations and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for over 300 million doses of a promising coronavirus vaccine which is currently still in the experimental phase, Germany's health ministry confirmed Saturday.
Doses of the vaccine would be distributed to Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands relative to their population as soon as it is ready, the ministry said, adding that all EU members can participate in the program.
The German Health Ministry said the four countries had formed a vaccination alliance and that they are also in talks with other pharmaceutical companies regarding potential vaccines against Covid-19.
The vaccine is expected to be finished by the end of 2020.
However, the value of the initial contract was not initially made public.
"In order for the vaccines to be available in large numbers very quickly after their possible approval this year or next year, production capacities must be guaranteed by contract now," the ministry said.
"Many countries in the world have already secured vaccines, Europe has not yet," German Health Minister Jens Spahn said. "Rapid coordinated action by a group of member states will create added value for all EU citizens in this crisis. Together with the Commission, we want to become even faster and stronger in negotiations in the future."
Italy's health minister Robert Speranza also commented on the deal on Facebook, writing that as many as "400 million doses of the vaccine" would be available "for the entire population of Europe."
According to the World Bank, the population of the EU is around 447 million.
As laboratories scramble to find a Covid-19 in record time—12 to 18 months instead of the standard multi-year timeline—advance payments provide for stronger investment in production.
The vaccine from AstraZeneca, developed with the University of Oxford, is one of a handful of vaccines currently in the clinical evaluation phase, the World Health Organization said.
(Source: DW)
