Spahn: 200M doses of Pfizer vaccine secured for EU

German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Tuesday confirmed that at least 200 million doses of the Vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer are secured for the European Union, even if there is so far just a preliminary agreement between the EU and BioNTech.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced yesterday that a contract for up to 300 million vaccine doses will soon be concluded.

Regarding the final contract Spahn said he assumes "we will be able to bring the negotiations to a conclusion very quickly."

Within the EU and its 27 member states "sometimes you may need one loop more," stated Spahn "but in return you have all 27 on board and a solution for all 27."

The minister also emphasized the principle of European solidarity and explained that economically strong member states of the EU could easily have concluded the contracts nationally but smaller member states "would not have the chance to obtain contracts and vaccine doses until months later, if at all."

Pfizer Inc. said Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine may be a remarkable 90% effective, based on early and incomplete test results that nevertheless brought widespread optimism.

Pfizer, which is developing the vaccine with its German partner BioNTech, now is on track to apply later this month for emergency-use approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, once it has the necessary safety information in hand.

(Image credit: AP)