EU Commission calls vaccine producers for critical meetings
The European Union Commission is continuing negotiations with Novavax regarding vaccine delivery, as part of a broader strategy to bring companies and firms together to speed up the processes in vaccine production along the entire supply chain. These talks come as the Commission faces potential delivery problems with both Novavax and AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca has announced it will not be able to meet its promised delivery quantities to the EU in the coming weeks, and its production facilities in the EU are not yet operating at "full capacity". Additionally, there are delivery problems with Johnson & Johnson to the EU for the second quarter.
The ongoing negotiations with Novavax are a significant concern, as reports suggest that the US manufacturer could possibly only start delivering vaccines to the EU in 2022. However, the EU Commission has not yet released an official statement regarding the potential 2022 delivery date for Novavax vaccines.
To address these challenges, the Commission has proposed a comprehensive Medical Countermeasures Strategy as part of its Preparedness Union agenda. This strategy aims to create a robust, flexible, and scalable vaccine production and response system to protect European citizens from future health emergencies more efficiently and quickly.
The strategy includes establishing an EU Stockpiling Strategy to ensure centralized and member states’ stockpiles of vaccines and medical supplies are maintained and accessible during crises. It also proposes launching a Medical Countermeasures Accelerator to boost research and development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics.
Additionally, the Commission plans to use existing and expanding manufacturing capacities such as the EU FAB ever-warm production facilities, and form new public-private partnerships like the RAMP UP initiative to scale up production quickly. The strategy also includes enhancing coordination between health and defense sectors, and implementing joint procurement mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines across all EU member states.
The meetings, which will cover the entire vaccine process, including suppliers, will be organized by Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. However, the Commission spokesperson could not provide fixed dates or a list of participants for the meetings. When asked about the potential 2022 delivery date for Novavax vaccines by "Business Insider", a spokesperson for the Commission did not comment and referred to the ongoing negotiations.
The negotiations between the EU Commission and Novavax are ongoing and confidential. The Commission finds the potential delivery delays unacceptable and is working diligently to address these challenges and accelerate vaccine production in Europe. The aim is to bring companies and firms together to speed up the processes in vaccine production along the entire supply chain and protect the health and safety of European citizens.
- The European Union Commission is engaged in confidential negotiations with Novavax to expedite vaccine delivery, as part of an economic and social policy strategy focusing on speeding up vaccine production and addressing delivery problems with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
- Amid concerns of potential 2022 Novavax vaccine delivery, the Commission is developing a comprehensive Medical Countermeasures Strategy as part of its Preparedness Union agenda, aiming to create a robust, flexible, and scalable vaccine production system to protect European citizens from future health emergencies.
- The strategy includes various measures like establishing an EU Stockpiling Strategy, launching a Medical Countermeasures Accelerator, utilizing existing and expanding manufacturing capacities, enhancing coordination between health and defense sectors, and implementing joint procurement mechanisms for equitable distribution.
- General news outlets like Business Insider have inquired about the potential 2022 delivery date for Novavax vaccines, but the Commission has so far remained silent, referring to the ongoing, confidential negotiations.
