Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
16.3.2021
1. Through its EU Strategy for COVID-19 vaccines[1], the Commission has secured access for Member States to such vaccines as soon as they become available, and vaccination with the three vaccines having so far been authorised for the EU market — from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca — has started in countries. The Commission is aware of the announcement by BioNTech/Pfizer about a temporary reduction in the number of vaccines delivered to Member States for one week’s time[2]. On 15 January 2021, the Commission discussed with the company and Member States, and BioNTech/Pfizer has now committed to be back to the original delivery schedule as of 25 January 2021, with increasing deliveries as of 15 February 2021. The Commission, on a daily basis, keeps supporting and facilitating contacts between BioNTech/Pfizer and Member States to ensure the smooth flow of deliveries.
2. It is crucial for all Member States that the agreed number of doses of COVID-19 vaccines are delivered, not only because of the rise in cases, but also due to the medical necessity to ensure that those who got their first dose will also get their second. As expected, deliveries of vaccine doses have been scarce in the beginning of the roll out; this is why the Commission asked Member States to carefully define priority groups for vaccination[3]. More doses will follow. In general, Member States need to ramp up vaccination, ensuring that all available doses are used up.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1597339415327&uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0245
- [2] https://investors.biontech.de/news-releases/news-release-details/statement-european-upscaling-well-impact-deliveries
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/vaccination/docs/2020_strategies_deployment_en.pdf