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Vaccination

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Vow to Meet Global Vaccine Target

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla stated that sufficient vaccines exist to achieve the World Health Organization's goal of equitable distribution, with the pharmaceutical industry arguing that increasing supply means patent waivers should be reconsidered. Bourla said that a US donation of 200 million Pfizer doses could cover 15 to 18 percent of the population in the world's 92 poorest countries, and that the company will meet the WHO's target of vaccinating at least 10 percent of the population in every country. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson has pledged to send more than half of its vaccines to low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla believes that the company can meet the World Health Organization's goal of vaccinating at least 10 percent of the population in every country.
  • The US donation of 200 million Pfizer doses could cover 15 to 18 percent of the population in the world's 92 poorest countries.
  • By the end of the year, Pfizer will have delivered 41 percent of its vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.
  • Johnson & Johnson has pledged to send more than half of its vaccines to low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year.
  • Vaccine makers argue that patent waivers on Covid-19 shots are not necessary, as there are sufficient vaccines to meet global demand.
  • Thomas Cueni, director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, believes that an IP waiver would be a "distraction" and would not solve the global vaccine shortage.

Statistics:

  • 500 million surplus vaccine doses exist in developed countries, which could be distributed this month.
  • An additional 1.1 billion surplus vaccine doses will be available by the end of the year.
  • 200 million Pfizer doses will be donated to low-income countries by the end of 2023.
  • The world's 92 poorest countries could be inoculated with 15 to 18 percent of the global population.
  • 41 percent of Pfizer's vaccines will be delivered to low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year.

Sources:

  • "Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Vow to Meet Global Vaccine Target" by Hannah Kuchler (The Financial Times, no date)
  • "Airfinity study: 500m surplus Covid vaccines in developed countries" by airfinity (no date)
  • Quoting Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer and Paul Stoffels, Chief Scientific Officer of J&J

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