Pfizer Cuts 2020 COVID-19 Vaccine Production Target by Half Due to Supply Chain Issues

According to Reuters Chinese on the 4th, a Pfizer spokesperson stated that challenges in the raw material supply chain for COVID-19 vaccines were one of the reasons for the company’s significant reduction in its 2020 vaccine production target.

The report stated that Pfizer has indicated in recent weeks that it expects to produce 50 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year. This figure is lower than the previous target of 100 million doses. As the Pfizer vaccine requires a two-dose regimen, the 50 million doses will be sufficient for 25 million people.

The report quoted a Pfizer spokesperson as saying, “It has taken longer than expected to scale up the raw material supply chain.” She also pointed out that the later-than-expected release of Pfizer’s clinical trial results was one of the reasons for the company’s downward revision of its production forecast for this year. The spokesperson further stated that modifications to Pfizer’s production lines have now been completed, and finished doses are being rapidly manufactured.

The report mentioned that The Wall Street Journal earlier broke the news, quoting an unnamed individual directly involved in Pfizer’s vaccine development as stating that “earlier batches of raw materials failed to meet standards,” leading to production delays.

The report pointed out that Pfizer applied for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to the U.S. regulatory agency in November. U.S. officials stated that they expect the vaccine to receive regulatory approval this month. The U.S. government anticipates that its initial allocation of vaccines will include 6.4 million doses, with additional supplies to follow.

The report also mentioned that UK regulators have authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine in the United Kingdom.