BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission has concluded exploratory talks with Johnson
The EU’s executive arm said this paved the way for contract negotiations and the eventual acquisition of the vaccine on behalf of all 27 EU states, once it proved effective.The commission also said it could buy another two hundred million doses of vaccine.
Johnson
“If regulatory approval of the company’s vaccine is received, the Commission will provide a procedure for granting doses of vaccine between member states,” Johnson said.
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Reuters reported exclusively in June that the US company in complex discussions with the EU on the source of its developing COVID-19 vaccine.
“The lives of our citizens and our economy want an effective coronavirus vaccine.Today’s talks bring us closer to that goal,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
The resolution follows announcements in July that the EU and Sanofi SA will conclude initial discussions to acquire three hundred million doses of their possible COVID-19 vaccine, which will be presented in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline Plc.
The EU receives around 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) from an emergency fund to participate in early purchase agreements with various vaccine brands in order to discharge enough vaccines for its population of 450 million.
He is also in talks with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and CureVac to buy their COVID-19 vaccines in advance, EU officials told Reuters in July.
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Reporting through Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Edited through Hugh Lawson and Elaine Hardcastle
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