Conflict Between European Countries and Pharmaceutical Companies Over COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Volume

[Image source= AP·Yonhap]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Conflicts are arising between European countries and vaccine suppliers regarding the supply of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 20th, Pfizer announced that it would reduce the vaccine supply to Italy by 29% this week due to the reorganization of its Belgium factory. Pfizer plans to improve the production facilities at its Belgium plant to increase vaccine supply. As a result, vaccine production must be temporarily reduced, but after reorganizing the production facilities, Pfizer intends to make up for the previously insufficient supply. Pfizer explained that supply disruptions would last about 3 to 4 weeks.

The Italian government spokesperson stated that the Ministry of Justice is reviewing whether the government can take legal action in response. Even if Pfizer compensates for the supply later, there could be damages caused by the short-term supply disruption, so they intend to consider the possibility of compensation accordingly.

The Hamburg state government in Germany has expressed dissatisfaction, saying that the amount of vaccine supplied by pharmaceutical companies has decreased. In fact, the number of vaccine vials sent by pharmaceutical companies to the Hamburg state government has decreased.

Usually, pharmaceutical companies do not fill vials completely to prevent vaccine spillage during transport. For example, a vial that can hold six doses is filled with only five doses. For this reason, there is room for disputes over how many doses are contained in one vial.

According to the Journal, the European Union (EU) authorities ruled on the 8th that one vial can contain six doses, and since then, pharmaceutical companies have reduced the amount of vaccine sent to the Hamburg state government.

A Hamburg state government official said, "Until now, six vials were used to administer 30 doses of vaccine, but now pharmaceutical companies are sending only five vials," adding, "It seems that pharmaceutical companies have reduced the amount of vaccine supplied."

However, pharmaceutical companies argue that the contract is based on the number of doses, not the number of vials, and that a reduction in the number of vials does not mean a reduction in the number of doses.