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Mainz / Brussels (dpa) - The Mainz manufacturer Biontech wants to deliver more vaccine than planned to the European Union.
The company is "in advanced discussions as to whether and how we can provide more vaccine doses from Europe for Europe this year," said company boss Ugur Sahin on Friday to the German press agency.
"Due to the current high number of infections, a speedy vaccine supply is particularly important," added Sahin.
"We are working with the EU to further expand our production capacities and to be able to provide additional vaccine doses."
He pointed out that this week it had been agreed with the EU Commission to deliver another 100 million vaccine doses.
An option already agreed in the EU framework agreement was drawn: initially 200 million doses of the Biontech vaccine were firmly ordered, with the option of purchasing 100 million additional units.
This expansion was contractually agreed a few days ago after the EU states had announced a corresponding need.
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When asked, a company spokeswoman did not want to say how quickly a contract for additional deliveries could come about and what quantities are involved.
The EU Commission also only spoke of the fact that there would be “advanced talks” about further deliveries in 2021.
Sahin had previously said in «Spiegel» about the strategy of the EU Commission: «There was the assumption that many other companies would come with vaccines.
Apparently the impression prevailed: We'll get enough, it won't be so bad, and we have it under control.
That surprised me. "
So far only Biontech has been approved for the European market.
The dpa explained the Biontech founder: “The EU's strategy to secure various vaccines is understandable and sensible.
Our common interest is to provide vaccines to people who wish. "
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