Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Next Round Of Pfizer Doses Won't Free Up Until Summer; Did White House Turn Down Chance For More?
The New York Times: Trump Administration Passed On Chance To Secure More Of Pfizer Vaccine
Before Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was proved highly successful in clinical trials last month, the company offered the Trump administration the chance to lock in supplies beyond the 100 million doses the pharmaceutical maker agreed to sell the government as part of a $1.95 billion deal over the summer. But the administration, according to people familiar with the talks, never made the deal, a choice that now raises questions about whether the United States allowed other countries to take its place in line. (LaFraniere, Thomas and Weiland, 12/7)
The Hill: Trump Officials Deny Turning Down Additional Doses Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
Trump administration officials on Monday denied a report that the federal government turned down an offer from Pfizer earlier this year to purchase additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. ... "Anyone who wanted to sell a guarantee, without an EUA [emergency use authorization] approval, hundreds of millions of doses back in July and August, was just not going to get the government's money," the official said. (Weixel, 12/7)
AP: Feds Passed Up Chance To Lock In More Pfizer Vaccine Doses
Under its contract with Pfizer, the Trump administration committed to buy an initial 100 million doses, with an option to purchase as many as five times more. This summer, the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100 million doses for delivery in the second quarter of 2021, according to people who spoke about the matter on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. Days ahead of the vaccine’s expected approval, the administration is reversing course, but it is not clear that Pfizer, which has since made commitments to other countries, will be able to meet the latest request on the same timeline. (Miller and Lemire, 12/8)
The Washington Post: Pfizer Tells U.S. Officials It Cannot Supply Substantial Additional Vaccine Until Late June Or July
Trump administration officials denied there would be availability issues in the second quarter, citing other vaccines in the pipeline, but others said problems are possible. “I’m not concerned about our ability to buy vaccines to offer to all of the American public,” Gen. Paul Ostrowski, who oversees logistics for Operation Warp Speed, the government’s initiative to expedite vaccine development, said in an interview Monday. “It’s clear that Pfizer made plans with other countries. Many have been announced. We understand those pieces.” (McGinley, Abutaleb and Johnson, 12/7)
