Coronavirus vaccine – Photo © European Union
(BRUSSELS) – The European Union reached an important milestone Tuesday when it announced that 70 per cent of its adult population – over 256 million adults – have now received a full vaccine course against COVID-19.
The rapid, full vaccination of all targeted populations – in Europe and globally – is seen as key to controlling the impact of the pandemic. The EU has been at the forefront of the ‘multilateral’ response. Its has exported about half of the vaccines produced in Europe to other countries in the world, as much as it has delivered for its citizens.
Team Europe has contributed close to EUR 3 billion for the COVAX Facility to help secure at least 1.8 billion doses for 92 low and lower middle-income countries. Currently, over 200 million doses have been delivered by COVAX to 138 countries.
In addition, Team Europe aims to share at least 200 million more doses of vaccines secured under the EU’s advance purchase agreements to low and middle-income countries until the end of 2021, in particular through COVAX, as part of the EU sharing efforts.
Given the threat of new variants, the Commission says it is important to continue ensuring the availability of sufficient vaccines, including adapted vaccines, also in the coming years.
The EU executive signed a new contract with BioNTech-Pfizer on 20 May, which foresees the delivery of 1.8 billion doses of vaccines between the end of the year and 2023. The Commission has also exercised the option of 150 million doses of the second Moderna contract.
Member States have the possibility to resell or donate doses to countries in need outside the EU or through the COVAX Facility, contributing to a global and fair access to vaccines across the world. Other contracts may follow. This is the EU’s common insurance policy against any future waves of COVID-19.
The EU Commission has secured up to 4.6 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far and negotiations are underway for additional doses. The Commission is also working with industry to step up vaccine manufacturing capacity.
At the same time, the Commission has started work to tackle new variants, aiming to rapidly develop and produce effective vaccines against these variants on a large scale. The HERA Incubator helps in responding to this threat.
Questions and Answers on COVID-19 vaccination in the EU
HERA Incubator
