Pfizer and BioNTech Announced COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Delays

Pfizer and BioNTech announced 'they had developed a plan that will allow the scale-up of manufacturing capacities in Europe and deliver significantly more Comiranty vaccine (BNT162b2) doses in the second quarter 2021. To accomplish this plan, certain modifications of production processes are required now, stated a BioNTech press release issued on January 15, 2021.

The companies continue stating: 'As a result, our facility in Puurs, Belgium, will temporarily reduce the number of doses delivered in the upcoming week.'

'We will be back to the original schedule of deliveries to the European Union beginning the week of January 25, 2021, with increased delivery beginning the week of February 15, resulting in our ability to deliver the fully committed quantity of vaccine doses in the first quarter and significantly more in the second quarter of 2021.

Pfizer and BioNTech stated they 'are working relentlessly to support the further roll-out of the vaccination campaigns worldwide by not only expanding their own manufacturing capacities but also by adding further suppliers as well as contract manufacturers to increase total manufacturing capacity.'