Reduced distribution of Pfizer vaccines to the detriment of Europe

Subject: Reduced distribution of Pfizer vaccines to the detriment of Europe

Pfizer has just decided to reduce the distribution of its COVID-19 vaccines. This decision, which coincides with President Biden’s announcement to strengthen the vaccination campaign in the United States, will have consequences throughout Europe; suffice it to say that Italy alone will see a 29% cut in the number of doses set out in the agreements.

This is a case of arbitrary distribution by the pharmaceutical company, which is likely to seriously undermine and penalise the vaccination plan currently under way in individual countries. In the regions of north-eastern Italy, i.e. Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige, it is estimated that the delivery of vaccine doses will decrease by at least 50%, which will also lead to discrepancies among the Italian regions.

In view of this:

1. What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that Pfizer meets its commitments with the European Union in order immediately to guarantee supplies as laid down in the distribution plan?

2. What action does it think it should take to reassure individual countries, in particular Italy, which has been one of the most successful in carrying out the highest number of vaccinations, that there will not be any problems when it comes to the amount needed for the second booster dose?

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(16 March 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