According to Richard Bergström, Moderna’s vaccine would be recommended for approval by the European Medicines Agency only on Wednesday, but the scientific discussions have gone faster than expected.
– There is no reason to wait, he says and adds:
– The recommendation takes place on Monday morning and a couple of hours later it is formally approved by the European Commission.
First doses to Sweden within two weeks
Sweden has signed an agreement to buy Moderna’s vaccine and according to the agreement, the first doses must be delivered within two weeks after it has been approved by the EU.
– We will receive about 20,000 – 30,000 doses a week, says Richard Bergström.
The EU has previously approved Pfizer / Biontech’s vaccine for delivery and since a few weeks ago between 80,000 and 90,000 doses per week have been delivered to Sweden, deliveries that Richard Bergström hopes will be able to increase to up to 300,000 doses at the end of February production plant in Marburg, Germany, receives the green light from the EU to start its vaccine production.
“Signs of impatience”
In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, Biontech’s CEO Ugur Sahin states that the availability of vaccines for the near future is threatened as the EU’s administrative processes drag on.
But, according to Richard Bergström, there is no risk of a shortage of vaccines.
– No no no. It is rather the opposite, he says, adding that Ugur Sahin’s statement should rather be seen as a “sign from an impatient CEO” as Biontech is waiting for the plant in Marburg, which will manufacture Pfizer / Biontech’s vaccine, to start.
All adults vaccinated before midsummer
According to vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström, deliveries of vaccines to Sweden and the subsequent vaccination have so far gone according to plan. In February, the EU is also expected to approve Astrazeneca’s vaccine, which means that Sweden will reach its vaccination targets.
– As it looks now, we will be able to vaccinate everyone in adulthood before midsummer, says Richard Bergström.
