Millions of Americans are expected to be vaccinated from COVID-19 by the fall at no cost to them thanks to a new deal with Pfizer and BioNTech. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the update on Wednesday.
The agreement includes the purchase of 100 million additional doses of their coronavirus vaccine, which is projected to be fully delivered by July 31, 2021. It is expected that 70 million of the 100 million doses purchased will be delivered by June 30, 2021.
The deal contains options for the U.S. government to purchase an additional 400 million doses of their coronavirus vaccine if they choose.
Moderna is the only other company so far whose vaccine has received emergency authorization from the FDA. They have agreed to supply the U.S. government with 200 million doses by June 2021.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses approximately 28 days apart to be fully effective.
In addition to Pfizer and Moderna, Johnson & Johnson has promised 100 million doses to the U.S.; AstraZeneca 100 million doses; Novavax 100 million; and Sanofi/GlaxoSmithKline 100 million. Distribution of these vaccines will remain on hold until treatment is authorized by the FDA.