The European Commission has not yet renewed its order for Covid-19 vaccines from the AztraZeneca laboratory beyond the expiration of the current contract at the end of June, said Sunday, May 9. , the European Commissioner for Internal Trade, Thierry Breton, during the program “Political Questions”, broadcast on France Inter, in partnership with The world and France Télévisions:
“We did not renew the order after June. We’ll see, we’ll see what will happen. “
The Commission has launched a lawsuit against AstraZeneca over long delays in the delivery of doses of its vaccine.
“Maybe a little extra cost” for the Pfizer vaccine
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Saturday a new contract to buy up to 1.8 billion doses of anti-Covid-19 vaccine from BioNTech-Pfizer, half of which are optional, on the period 2021-2023, in order to protect the population against new variants of the coronavirus, but also to vaccinate children and adolescents. Thierry Breton hinted on Sunday that this contract could cost the European Union more than expected: “There may be a small additional cost, but I will let the competent authorities reveal it in due course.. “
The Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the Twenty-Seven, signed a first contract in November with BioNTech and Pfizer for a total of 300 million doses (including an option for 100 million), then concluded a second contract on January 8. , also for 300 million doses (including 100 million optional). In total, the EU received 67 million doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine in the first quarter and expects 250 million in the second quarter. Some 280 million doses are expected to follow in the second half of the year.
Objective of 70% vaccinated by mid-July
The EU is now openly relying on so-called “messenger RNA” vaccines, such as those from BioNtech-Pfizer and the American Moderna, an innovative technology deemed more effective against the so-called “South African” and “Brazilian” variants. .
Thierry Breton reiterated the objective of providing sufficient doses to Member States to vaccinate 70% of the adult population of the European Union by mid-July.