Biden Administration Secures Additional 200 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

Strategic Insights -

The Biden administration has purchased 200 million more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to prepare for potential additional vaccine needs in the US. The additional shots will be used for children under 12, pending approval from the US FDA, and for possible booster shots for vaccinated individuals. This new purchase brings the total number of doses supplied by Pfizer/BioNTech to 500 million, including an initial 500 million doses that will be donated to low and lower-middle income countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The additional 200 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered between fall 2021 and spring 2022.
  • The vaccine doses will be needed for children under 12, pending approval from the US FDA, and for possible booster shots for vaccinated individuals.
  • Pfizer has agreed to provide 65 million pediatric doses should its vaccine be approved for kids under 12.
  • Currently, none of the three COVID-19 vaccines used in the US is available to children under the age of 12.
  • Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in children under 12, with data for children ages 5-11 potentially available in September.
  • The FDA will make a regulatory decision regarding the authorization of emergency use of the vaccine for children under 12.
  • The US government also has the option to acquire updated versions of the vaccine if they are available and authorized.
  • The new purchase brings the total number of doses supplied by Pfizer/BioNTech to 500 million.
  • The US has slowed considerably in COVID-19 vaccinations, with an average of 252,232 people becoming fully vaccinated each day, the slowest pace since January.
  • About 49% of the country is fully vaccinated.
  • Pfizer and BioNTech are proud to support the US continued vaccination programs, with over 100 countries also involved.

Statistics:

  • 200 million: The number of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses purchased by the Biden administration.
  • 500 million: The total number of doses supplied by Pfizer/BioNTech to the US, including the initial 500 million doses.
  • 65 million: The number of pediatric doses Pfizer has agreed to provide should its vaccine be approved for kids under 12.
  • 252,232: The average number of people becoming fully vaccinated each day in the US, as per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • 49%: The percentage of the country that is fully vaccinated.

Sources:

  • An administration official familiar with the contract told CNN.
  • CNN
  • BioNTech release.
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
  • Dr. Ugur Sahin, CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech.
  • President Joe Biden's CNN town hall.