Europe to get circa 400 million doses of AZ/Oxford Uni vaccine

Europe’s Inclusive Vaccines Alliance and AstraZeneca have agreed for the latter to supply up to 400 million doses of Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine, with equitable access to all participating countries across Europe. Deliveries will start towards the end of the year. Similar terms have recently been agreed with the UK, the US, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Gavi for 700 million doses.

Current total manufacturing capacity is two billion doses, and AZ is looking to increase this further and is prepared to work with other companies to do so, facilitating the ability to meet its commitment to support access to the vaccine at no profit during the pandemic.
A Phase II/III UK trial of AZD1222 in about 10,000 adult volunteers has started, and other late-stage trials are due to commence in several other countries. AstraZeneca recognises that the vaccine may not work but is committed to progressing the clinical programme with speed and scaling up manufacturing at risk.

CEO Pascal Soriot said: “This agreement will ensure that hundreds of millions of Europeans have access to Oxford University’s vaccine following approval. With our European supply chain due to begin production soon, we hope to make the vaccine available widely and rapidly. I would like to thank the governments of Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands for their commitment and swift response.”