EC: First contract for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines signed

The European Commission is signing the first contract for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines with AstraZeneca. The agreement entered into force on Thursday after both parties formally signed it. It will enable the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccine for all EU Member States, including Slovakia, as well as its donation to lower and middle income countries or distribution to other European countries. All Member States will be able to buy 300 million doses of the vaccine and, with the option, buy another 100 million doses, which will be distributed in proportion to the population. As the European Commission said in a press release, it is continuing negotiations on similar contracts with other vaccine manufacturers.