Pfizer and BioNTech announced Wednesday that they reached a new agreement to supply the United States with an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine.

What You Need To Know

  • Pfizer and BioNTech agreed to a new deal with the US to supply an additional 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine

  • The companies said Wednesday that they expect to deliver all the doses by July 31

  • Under the terms of the agreement, Americans will continue to receive the vaccine for free, consistent with the US government's policy of providing the vaccine at no cost to the American public.

  • Pfizer’s vaccine was the first to gain Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week

The companies said Wednesday that they expect to deliver all the doses by July 31. 

Under the $2 billion deal announced Wednesday, the companies will deliver at least 70 million of the additional doses by June 30, with the remaining 30 million doses to be delivered no later than July 31. The government also has the option to acquire up to an additional 400 million doses.

 

 

“With these 100 million additional doses, the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. “We look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. government and healthcare providers around the country.”

Pfizer already has a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine.

“Securing more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 further expands our supply of doses across the Operation Warp Speed portfolio,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This new federal purchase can give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021."

“We regard the U.S. government’s order of additional doses from their vaccine contingent as a clear sign of confidence and trust in our vaccine and our ability to deliver. Our goal remains to bring a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to as many people as we can all around the world,” said Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech.

Under the terms of the agreement, Americans will continue to receive the vaccine for free, consistent with the US government's policy of providing the vaccine at no cost to the American public.

Pfizer’s vaccine was the first to gain Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week. It has since been joined by a vaccine from Moderna, which was developed in closer cooperation with scientists from the National Institutes of Health.

The deal with Pfizer moves the nation closer to the goal of vaccinating all Americans.

A law dating back to the Korean War gives the government authority to direct private companies to produce critical goods in times of national emergency. Called the Defense Production Act, it’s expected to be invoked to help Pfizer secure some raw materials needed for its vaccine.

Pfizer already had a contract to supply the government with 100 million doses of its vaccine under Operation Warp Speed, but government officials have said it’s more of an arms-length relationship with the company and they don’t have as much visibility into its operations.

The New York Times first reported the new details of negotiations between Pfizer and the Trump administration.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.