E.U. Pre-Purchasing Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine; Botswana Joins COVAX; Philippines Looking To Procure 50M Vaccine Doses; India’s Serum Institute Aims To Supply Vaccines To Developing Nations

AP: E.U. to buy up to 300 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
“The European Commission will sign a deal to secure up to 300 million doses of the experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer…” (11/10).

Reuters: Botswana signs agreement with global vaccine scheme for 20% of population
“Botswana has signed an agreement with the global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization, giving it the option to buy coronavirus vaccines for 20% of its population, a senior health official told Reuters…” (Benza, 11/10).

Reuters: Philippines seeking 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines next year
“The Philippines plans to procure an initial 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure at least a quarter of its population gets inoculated next year, a top coronavirus task force official said on Monday…” (Lema, 11/9).

Washington Post: Who will make coronavirus vaccines for the developing world? India holds the key.
“…In the quest for effective coronavirus vaccines, India is poised to play a critical role in supplying the developing world, which is starting the race with a distinct disadvantage. … Rich nations are ‘all cutting in line and hoarding vaccine supply to immunize as many people as possible, even if this leaves other countries unable to immunize those at highest risk,’ said Nicholas Lusiani, a senior adviser at Oxfam America, a nonprofit group devoted to fighting poverty. Enter Indian vaccine makers, led by Serum Institute, the largest manufacturer in the world by volume…” (Slater, 10/11).

Additional coverage of COVID-19 vaccine research and supply is available from The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Financial Times, The Guardian, New York Times, Reuters, The Telegraph, and Wall Street Journal.

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