Pfizer to supply WHO-led vaccine program with 40 million doses

The World Health Organization-led COVAX global vaccine initiative said it will purchase up to 40 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The deal, announced Friday, will allow the initiative to begin delivering vaccines to developing countries by the end of February. In addition, pending emergency authorization, the program expects 150 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine to become available for distribution in the first quarter of this year.

COVAX has agreements with several manufacturers for just over 2 billion doses, which will be enough to protect health care and other frontline workers, as well as some high-risk individuals.

During a press briefing, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the vaccine will be provided at-cost, and the company will not make a profit.

Bourla said the company will also help deliver the doses, which require ultra-cold storage and special handling.

Global health agencies launched the COVAX project to ensure that poor and developing countries could get access to a coronavirus vaccine at the same rate as wealthy and developed nations.

WHO officials have said COVAX needs additional funding to fulfill its goal of vaccinating at least 20 percent of the population in every country by the end of 2021.