The ampoules of vaccine have been filled with a safety margin that with the right type of needle may be sufficient for a sixth dose.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has therefore updated its product recommendation so that each bottle contains six doses.

However, the increased debit has taken place without the consent of the European Commission, writes Dagens Nyheter.

- It's unacceptable.

If a country only has the opportunity to receive five doses, it has received fewer doses for the same price, says vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström to DN.

Bergström believes that without the right needle, not everyone will be able to extract the sixth dose - even if they paid for it.

According to state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, the Swedish Public Health Agency will not pay the invoices until the parties have agreed.

Pfizer: Was EMA's decision

Pfizer replies that they follow the EMA's new decision and that the agreement with the EU is to deliver a certain number of doses.

The total price is still the same.

- There was a great deal of uncertainty about how many doses could be used, and then EMA took the initiative to update the product summary, says Ulrika Goossens, communications manager for Pfizer Sweden, to SVT Nyheter.

What can you say about the fact that the European Commission and Pfizer have different views on the date on which payment for the sixth dose is to be made?

- Exact dates I can not comment.

It is a negotiation with the EU.

Pfizer locally is not involved.

How do you see the Swedish Public Health Agency choosing to suspend payments for the time being?

- I do not want to comment on that either.

This is a matter for the negotiations with the EU, says Ulrika Goossens.

Perform tests with different needles

If your ampoules are now considered to contain six doses, will Pfizer need to top up with an additional safety margin?

- There is still an overfill in the ampoules.

After dilution, each ampoule contains 2.25 ml and each dose is 0.3 ml, says Ulrika Goossens.

She continues:

- We are aware that it can be a challenge to get the sixth dose out, but we also carry out tests of different combinations of needles and syringes.

We update it on our website to help those who buy syringes know which ones are best.