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Added on the 03/06/2021 17:43:19 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Two million doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 arrive in Rio de Janeiro, after they were brought from India via Sao Paulo. IMAGES
Shanghai, Jan 4 (EFE/EPA).- Fosun Pharma, a Chinese listed pharmaceutical company, and Germany's BioNTech reported in December that they would supply Mainland China with 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, after regulatory approval. In March 2020, Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company Fosun Pharma made a purchase agreement with BioNTech to buy 50 million USD worth of stock. It became a strategic partner in developing and producing the mRNA vaccine. (Camera: ALEX PLAVEVSKI).SHOT LIST: THE FOSUN PHARMA HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN SHANGHAI, CHINA.
On Wednesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced having reached a deal with the U.S. government with an additional 100 million doses by July 31. That's up from the initial 100 million doses ordered already. The deal follows a similar extension of doses reached by the U.S. with Moderna for their vaccine. Both vaccines require two doses to be administered. The $2 billion deal calls for at least an additional 70 million doses to be provided to the U.S. by June 30. The remaining 30 million doses needing to be delivered by July 31. It also allows for the U.S. to obtain up to an additional 400 million doses in the future.
On Thursday, Pfizer released a statement to deny claims that it was having issues producing its COVID-19 vaccine. The statement comes after officials in more than a dozen states complained that they were receiving fewer doses than promised. According to Business Insider, Trump officials claimed there were "manufacturing challenges." In its statement, Pfizer said it was "not having any production issues." It revealed it has millions of doses sitting in a warehouse, awaiting government orders on where to ship them to. Two anonymous Trump officials told the Associated Press the doses are in storage on purpose. The doses are being held back to ensure that people who had their first shot can get the second one.
The US government has ordered another 100 million doses of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine. This brings the total number of vaccines ordered to 200 million, says Business Insider. If the vaccine receives emergency-use authorization from the FDA, Moderna plans to deliver. The delivery will be for 20 million doses by the end of December with the rest over the start of 2021. The US still has the option to purchase another 300 million doses from Moderna. Everyone who wants the vaccine should be able to get one, timing is the main concern.