EU to buy 300m extra doses of Pfizer vaccine as study shows it protects against variants

The variants contain mutations including N501Y, an alteration in spike protein of the virus, which is a target for vaccines.

The Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech does protect against the two new mutant variants, at least one of which has contributed to the increase in cases here, according to new research

The pharmaceutical giant and researchers from the University of Texas carried out lab tests on the strains, one of which was found in the UK while the other originated in South Africa.

The variants contain mutations including N501Y, an alteration in spike protein of the virus, which is a target for vaccines.

In the new study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, blood samples were taken from 20 people who received the Pfizer vaccine.

Laboratory studies found that the samples had neutralising levels of antibodies which worked against the new strains.

Nphet Epidemiological Modelling Group Professor Philip Nolan last night said the new variant does seem to have role in accelerating the number of cases.

Yesterday the HSE confirmed that 15,314 first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has already been given across nursing homes and hospitals here. The target for week’s end is 35,000.

Based on the current vaccine supply, the HSE expects to vaccinate 135,000 people from these sectors by the end of February. 

They hope this will increase when other vaccines including the Moderna vaccine which was approved this week by the European Medicines Agency.

The European Commission today proposed that EU Member States purchase an additional 200 million doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, with the option to acquire another 100 million doses.

The Commission said this would enable the EU to purchase up to 600 million doses of this vaccine, which is already being used across the EU.

The additional doses will be delivered starting in the second quarter of 2021.

The EU has acquired a broad portfolio of vaccines with different technologies.

It has secured up to 2.3 billion doses from the "most promising vaccine candidates" for Europe and its neighbourhood.

The Moderna vaccine was authorised on 6 January and other vaccines are expected to be approved soon.

"This vaccine portfolio would enable the EU not only to cover the needs of its whole population but also to supply vaccines to neighbouring countries," a statement from the Commission said.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, says the rollout of the additional Pfizer vaccines will begin from April.

Ms von der Leyen said she is particularly pleased that 75 million of this order will be available as of the beginning of April.

The rest would then be delivered in the third and fourth quarter of 2021.

"The advantage of this good news is, we already have a contract so no lengthy negotiations anymore."