EU signs contract with AstraZeneca on COVID-19 vaccine On Thursday 27th August 2020, the European Commission signed a contract with AstraZeneca, a British multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company on the purchasing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The agreement was signed by Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, to make the vaccine available to all EU Member States. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated: “The Commission is working non-stop to provide EU citizens with a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 as quickly as possible. The entry into force of the contract with AstraZeneca is an important step forward in this respect. I am looking forward to enriching our portfolio of potential vaccines thanks to contracts with other pharmaceutical companies and engaging with international partners for universal and equitable access to vaccination.”
According to Maltese Health Minister Chris Fearne 330,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allocated to the Maltese Islands. Fearne also stated that Malta will be one of the first countries to safeguard the frontliners and vulnerable people. The Commission has previously mentioned it is also in advanced talks with Sanofi-GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and CureVac for their potential vaccines.
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