Moderna says Europe-bound COVID-19 vaccine deliveries are on track

Deliveries of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine are on track to meet the number of doses it promised to the European Union, a spokesperson for the US-based drugmaker said on Wednesday (7 April), following a report of delays in Germany, writes John Miller.

“Moderna is committed to meeting all quarterly contractual delivery agreements with the European Commission and individual member states,” the spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

“April deliveries are on track to meet the dose ranges previously communicated to governments.”

A German language publication of Business Insider had reported that the delivery of up to 878,400 doses of Moderna’s vaccine due from 26 April to 2 May might not take place, citing unidentified sources within the German health ministry.

In response to questions about any interruptions, Moderna said that it “does not cancel delivery shipments, but can at times provide updates (on) delivery guidance based on the trajectory of manufacturing and batch release”.

The German health ministry said that Moderna had not communicated any changes to its delivery plan.

Moderna declined to release specifics about the monthly dose range bound for Europe, though it previously has confirmed 2021 deliveries would include 160 million doses for the EU and 17 million doses for Britain. Worldwide, it has committed to producing at least 700 million doses this year.

Concerns over vaccine availability in Germany and the rest of the European Union remain high after the initial phase of the bloc’s rollout significantly trailed vaccination rates in Britain and the United States and as variants spread, increasing urgency to get more shots into peoples’ arms.

Ingredients for the company’s COVID-19 vaccine destined for Europe, Canada, Japan, Korea and other countries outside the United States are made at Lonza facilities in Switzerland, before being packaged into vials at separate locations in Spain and France.

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