UNICEF, on behalf of the COVAX International Initiative, signed a 2021 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine supply agreement with Pfizer, an anti-COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine delivery expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021, when the countries, provided with a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, confirm they fully meet all the requirements of Pfizer-BioNTech and COVAX.
The goal of COVAX is to make COVID-19 vaccines safely and effectively available to all countries, regardless of their economic status. This supply agreement allows UNICEF to purchase up to 40 million doses, accessible in 2021 under COVAX Pre-Purchase Agreement (APA) with Pfizer-BioNTech.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was the first to be included in WHO Emergency Use Listing on December 31, 2020. It must be properly maintained. UNICEF works tirelessly with partners in order to create the necessary conditions to support the states in maintaining and distributing COVID-19 different types of vaccines with different storage rules.
This agreement is the second long-term supply contract UNICEF signed with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer on behalf of the COVAX initiative. Last week, UNICEF signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India to purchase two vaccines produced by transmission of AstraZeneca and Novavax technologies, provided the vaccine approval by the WHO.
COVAX, co-managed by the “Gavi” Vaccine Alliance, CEPI and WHO, together with UNICEF, aims to provide at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 approved vaccines by the end of 2021, which will enable participating countries to protect frontline workers: health sector and social workers, as well as people included in high-risk zone and vulnerable groups.
