EU Secures Up to 4 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses to Prepare for Winter
Brussels, Belgium – Teh European Commission has signed a joint procurement contract with Spanish pharmaceutical company Hipra to secure up to 4 million doses of its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, Bimervax, in planning for the upcoming winter vaccination period. The deal, finalized at the request of 14 member states, aims to bolster vaccine options available to national health systems as new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge.
According to a statement released by the Commission,participating countries can order doses as needed,with no minimum purchase requirement. The contract has a maximum duration of two years, ensuring timely delivery to coincide with current vaccination timelines.
“The emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 makes protection against thes viruses essential, especially for the most vulnerable,” stated European Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.
While mRNA vaccines remain available, the European Commission emphasized that this contract expands the toolkit for public health authorities by offering a protein-based alternative. bimervax utilizes “fragments of a protein that is unique to the virus,” triggering the immune system to recognize and defend against COVID-19 infection. The Commission explained that these fragments are sufficient to prompt the body to produce natural defenses.
This move underscores the EU’s ongoing commitment to preparedness against COVID-19 and its dedication to ensuring access to a diverse range of vaccines for its citizens.
