US Launches Full-Scale Vaccine Procurement Effort: "Most Vaccinations Possible by Next Summer"

US Secures 400 Million Doses (200 Million People) Through Additional Contract with Pfizer Until July Next Year
Option Allows for Additional 400 Million Doses
Utilizing Emergency Powers to Secure Supply from Vaccine Manufacturers

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Kwon Jae-hee] As the U.S. government successfully secured an additional contract for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, it is expected that most Americans will be able to receive vaccinations by next summer.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense on the 23rd (local time), the U.S. government signed an additional supply contract for a total of 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, receiving 70 million doses by the end of June next year and 30 million doses by the end of July from Pfizer.

Previously, the U.S. government had already agreed to receive 100 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer by March next year. Following Pfizer, the U.S. also plans to introduce 100 million doses by the end of March and another 100 million doses by the end of June from Moderna, which also received emergency use authorization.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Including this additional contract, the U.S. government will secure 400 million doses (enough for 200 million people) of vaccines by July next year. For Pfizer vaccines, the age limit is 16 and older, and for Moderna vaccines, 18 and older, making the actual eligible population for vaccination in the U.S. 260 million people. Moreover, considering the high vaccine hesitancy rate in the U.S., most people wishing to be vaccinated will be able to receive their shots within the first half of next year. Additionally, the U.S. government has signed an option contract with Pfizer through this additional agreement to supply up to 400 million doses of the vaccine.

In this regard, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, predicted that general public vaccination could begin from April next year. In an interview with the U.S. online medical news site 'WebMD,' he said, "In April next year, the vaccine 'open season'?meaning a period when anyone who wants to get vaccinated can do so?could begin," adding, "If done properly, 70 to 85% of the population will be vaccinated by mid to late summer next year."

Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, also commented on the additional contract with Pfizer, stating, "It will instill confidence that there is enough supply for all Americans who wish to be vaccinated to receive their shots by the second quarter of next year."

It is reported that the U.S. government even utilized wartime laws to finalize the additional vaccine contract with Pfizer. To secure this vaccine supply, the U.S. government invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA), enacted during the Korean War, which allows the government to obtain nine special products necessary for vaccine production. The DPA grants the government authority to require private sector production of strategic materials during wartime. The U.S. government used this wartime law to secure the materials Pfizer needed for production.

According to foreign media, the U.S. government agreed to pay Pfizer $1.95 billion (approximately 2.16 trillion KRW) for this vaccine purchase. Considering previously signed contracts, the total payment amount reaches $4 billion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.